Drunk Driver Sentenced After Four Killed at Corlears Hook Park
At Water and Jackson streets on July 4, 2024, city crash records list four pedestrians killed and eight people injured, and prosecutors said Daniel Hyden drove drunk into a Corlears Hook Park holiday barbecue.
What We Know
At about 8:52 p.m. on July 4, 2024, city records place the crash at Water Street and Jackson Street and list four pedestrians killed and eight people injured. Press accounts and prosecutors said Daniel Hyden drove a Ford F-150 into a Lower East Side Independence Day gathering at Corlears Hook Park. Later coverage identified the people killed as Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, Ana Morel and Emily Ruiz; some accounts spell the Pinkney names differently. Prosecutors said Hyden was driving more than 50 mph and braked only a half-second before the crash. He was convicted of second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide and assault and was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison.
A holiday gathering became a mass-casualty crash
The crash was recorded at 8:52 p.m. at Water Street and Jackson Street in Manhattan. City records list four pedestrians killed and eight people injured, including seven pedestrians and one motorist.
Press accounts and prosecutors said Daniel Hyden drove a Ford F-150 through the intersection, onto the sidewalk and into Corlears Hook Park, where people were celebrating Independence Day.
Gothamist reported that prosecutors said Hyden was driving more than 50 mph and braked only a half-second before the crash.
Water Street, beside Corlears Hook Park
The crash happened at Water Street and Jackson Street on the Lower East Side, beside Corlears Hook Park.
CrashCountNYC location context for Water Street in Manhattan counts 125 crashes, 61 injuries, 2 serious injuries and 4 deaths since 2022.
Four people were identified in later coverage
Reviewed articles identified the people killed as Lucille Pinkney, 59; her son Herman Pinkney, 38; Ana Morel, 43; and Emily Ruiz, 30. The reviewed sources do not spell every Pinkney name the same way: one Daily News article used Hernan, and one Post sentencing account used Lucile.
The Post reported that Emily Ruiz was taken to Bellevue and died after she was taken off life support; later sentencing coverage described a five-day battle on life support. Her mother told the Post that Ruiz's young son ran to get a first aid kit after the crash.
Relatives described the losses in court and in interviews. Gothamist quoted Starkema Lewis, Lucille Pinkney's niece, saying the trauma changed the fabric of the family and the Lower East Side community.
Prosecutors focused on intoxication and speed
Early coverage said Hyden was charged with driving while intoxicated after the crash. Later coverage reported that he was convicted of second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide and assault.
At sentencing, Justice April Newbauer said Hyden chose actions he knew could easily lead to death. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said intoxicated drivers risk lives and will be prosecuted.
The injury count was described differently across records
The city crash record lists eight people injured in addition to the four people killed. Gothamist, citing prosecutors, reported that seven other people were injured by the impact or by debris, including four who were left struggling to walk.
At sentencing, survivors and relatives described lasting injuries, post-traumatic stress and a holiday that many said would no longer feel like a celebration.