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NYPD: 4th person dead after drunk driver rammed into LES park on July 4th
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Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 12, 2024
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Liam Quigley/Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 12, 2024
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A fourth person has died after police say a drunk man plowed a pickup truck into a park on the Lower East Side on July 4th, bringing the number of fatalities from the incident to four.
Emily Ruiz, 30, spent five days in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital before she died from her injuries on Tuesday, according to information provided by the NYPD.
Police said she lived in the Vladeck Houses, a NYCHA complex right across from Corlears Hook Park, where families were celebrating the holiday when 44-year-old Daniel Hyden allegedly lost control of his truck and careened into the crowds.
Lucille Pinkney, 59, and Hernan Pinkney, 38, were killed immediately at the scene. The third person, 43-year-old Ana Morel, died at Bellevue Hospital the next day.
Hyden, of Monmouth Junction, NJ, was charged with vehicular homicide, eight counts of assault, three counts of driving while intoxicated and one count of “aggravated unlicensed operator,” or driving with a suspended or revoked license.
He was arraigned Saturday in Manhattan Criminal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was ordered held without bail.
Hyden had previously worked as a substance abuse counselor at a center in East Harlem, according to police and an employee at the site.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Tagged
public safety
manhattan
transportation
fatal collision
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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