Tragic Fourth of July Incident Leads to Lengthy Sentence for Drunk Driver
In a devastating incident that occurred two years ago on the Fourth of July, Halena Herrera’s life was forever altered when a pickup truck, driven by an intoxicated Daniel Hyden, plowed through a New York City park, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others.
Hyden, 46, from Monmouth, New Jersey, was behind the wheel of a Ford F-150 that veered off course, crashing through a chain-link fence and into a group enjoying a holiday barbecue at Corlears Hook Park in Manhattan. The impact tragically claimed the lives of Ana Morel, 43; Lucille Pinkney, 59; Herman Pinkney, 38; and Emily Ruiz, 30, who was Herrera’s best friend.
On Friday, Judge April A. Newbauer handed down a sentence of 24 years to life in prison for Hyden, who was convicted on charges including murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.
Halena Herrera, who was injured by debris during the crash, expressed her mixed feelings, stating, “Learning that the only reason I lived was because four other people were dying under the car is still very hard to deal with.” She added, “I’m glad that at least now there’s some sense of justice.”
Diamond Pinkney, grieving the loss of his family members, described the sentencing as a “big relief,” emphasizing that Hyden, a substance abuse counselor, was aware of his actions and their potential consequences. Pinkney remarked, “He knew what he did, he knew the possibility he could’ve caused and he did it.”
In court, Hyden referred to the incident as an “accident” and apologized for his actions, which he attributed to breaking his sobriety after his sister was killed by a drunk driver in 2021. Despite his apology, Herrera dismissed his remorse as insincere, asserting, “He has shown no remorse from the very beginning, so for him to sit there and say that he’s sorry is just — I don’t believe any of it.”
Prior to the crash, Hyden had been turned away from a nearby party boat due to his behavior, and police officers had escorted him to a park bench. However, he later got back into his vehicle and, according to prosecutors, sped through a stop sign and a construction zone before entering the park at high speed.
Prosecutors detailed that Hyden accelerated through the park, fully pressing the gas pedal and applying the brakes only moments before colliding with the crowd. Witnesses prevented further harm by removing the keys from the ignition.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg commented on the sentencing, saying, “While this prison sentence will not reverse the fatalities, injuries, and trauma, I hope this sentencing brings a measure of comfort for those who were impacted by this mass casualty event.” He urged against driving under the influence, emphasizing the risks and legal repercussions.
Both Herrera and Diamond Pinkney expressed their desire for Hyden to remain incarcerated to prevent him from causing further harm. Herrera, who is pursuing a career as a therapist, shared her ongoing struggle with depression and post-traumatic stress stemming from the incident, noting the constant fear it has introduced into her life.
“Every day, I’m worried that something else can happen,” Herrera explained. “You know of it — you know that death happens, you know that accidents happen and things happen. But to live it is a different thing.”
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the enduring impact on victims and their families.
