Daniel Christopher Hyden, a substance abuse counselor and author, has been charged with DUI following a fatal crash on July 4th. The incident, which occurred at Corlears Hook Park in New York City’s Lower East Side, resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to several others.
Hyden allegedly drove a gray Ford F-150 onto a sidewalk, hitting 10 individuals, including children. The victims include Lucille Pinkney, 59, and her son Hernan Pinkney, 38. The identity of the third deceased victim has not yet been released. Hyden is expected to face charges for these deaths.
Hyden, known for his 2020 book “The Sober Addict,” which addresses addiction recovery, has ironically found himself at the center of a DUI case. His book aims to help individuals manage addiction, based on his own experiences as a recovering addict.
Injuries from the crash left four individuals in critical condition and three in serious condition. Among the critically injured are an 11-year-old boy and his mother. FDNY Chief Michael Myers confirmed the severity of the injuries.
Hyden, who sustained head and facial injuries, has a criminal record that includes a 2015 DUI charge in Wisconsin, which was dismissed after a plea deal, and a February assault charge for allegedly hitting a teacher.
This incident follows the arrest of Arlene González-Sánchez, former commissioner of the New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports, for DUI. González-Sánchez had a blood-alcohol content of .20 and was charged with several offenses, including leaving the scene of an accident. NYPD Officer Christopher Machalek reported that she tried to flee, showed clear signs of intoxication, and urinated on herself during the arrest.
These cases underscore the critical issue of DUI, even among those dedicated to fighting substance abuse. The tragic events of July 4th serve as a grim reminder of the dangers of impaired driving.
