Drunk Driver Arraigned On Murder Charges In July 4th NYC Crash: DA

NEW YORK CITY — A drunk driver who ran a stop sign and drove into a Manhattan park on the 4th of July, killing four people, was arraigned on an indictment Thursday.

Daniel Hyden, 44, South Brunswick, NJ, is accused of speeding in his Ford F-150 pickup truck and running a stop sign at the Water Street and Jackson Street intersection, prosecutors said.

In addition, to killing four people, he left 7 others injured, authorities said.

Hyden has been charged with four counts of murder, one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, four counts of second degree assault and three counts of third degree assault.

Hyden was allegedly driving at about 40 mph before he struck the victims. He fully pressed down his gas pedal and did not hit his brakes until one-half second before the final crash, prosecutors said.

When the truck finally came to a rest, trapping four people underneath, Hyden attempted to flee by placing the truck in reverse to continue driving, only to be stopped by witnesses who removed the key from the ignition, prosecutors said.

Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, and Ana Morel were pronounced dead at the scene. Emily Ruiz was pronounced dead five days later.

As alleged, Daniel Hyden was driving while intoxicated when he plowed through a group of friends and family celebrating the Fourth of July in Corlears Hook Park," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.

"This alleged act tragically cut the lives of Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, Emily Ruiz, and Ana Morel short and severely injured seven others,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My thoughts are with the families of those whose lives were lost, the injured victims, and the tight-knit community, all of whom are reeling from the effects of this horrifying and senseless tragedy.”