Fourth person dies following fatal July 4th crash: NYPD

LOWER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) — A fourth person has passed away following the fatal pedestrian crash on July 4 in the Lower East Side.

Emily Ruiz, 30, passed away from her injuries on Tuesday, the NYPD announced Thursday.

The crash happened around 8:45 p.m. at a park near Water and Jackson streets, where at least 200 people were barbecuing to celebrate the holiday.

A gray Ford F-150 sped through an intersection, blew a stop sign then jumped the sidewalk and drove into the park, according to authorities.

NYPD investigators say that the driver, Daniel Hyden, 44 was drunk. Hyden, who police say lives more than 35 miles away from the crash scene, in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, is a substance abuse counselor, according to a variety of sources.

They say that he’s also written a book, titled The Sober Addict , which is available on Amazon.

Hyden faces charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, and recklessly causing serious injury with a weapon, according to the NYPD and the city’s Department of Transportation.

Three other victims killed in the crash were 59-year-old Lucille Pinkney, her son, 38-year-old Herman Pinkney and 43-year-old Ana Morel.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here .

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