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New York Post
Suspected drunk driver in horror LES crash that left 3 dead is a substance-abuse counselor who wrote ‘The Sober Addict’
By Megan Palin, Joe Marino,
9 hours ago
The suspected drunk driver accused of mowing down 11 people, killing three, at a Fourth of July celebration on the Lower East Side is a substance-abuse counselor and author of “The Sober Addict” — who claims his passion is to help “prevent death,” The Post can reveal.
Daniel Christopher Hyden, 44, has been charged with driving while intoxicated and for not having a valid license after he allegedly drove a gray Ford F-150 through the Water Street and Jackson Street intersection, over the sidewalk and into people celebrating at Corlears Hook Park, according to police.
He was expected to face additional charges over the deaths, sources said.
Hyden — who has lived in New Jersey and in the Bronx — penned a 2020 book called “the Sober Addict,” which is billed as “a practical guide on how to effectively live and cope with the dysfunctional, lifelong disease of addiction.”
“‘The Sober Addict’ is a book for all those impacted by the disease addiction. Within the pages of DC Hyden’s book, addicts, family members, enablers, and helpers will find unconventional ways to combat addiction from Onset to Remission,” the synopsis reads.
“This guide will help you learn how to function with this dysfunctional and chronic illness.”
In the book, Hyden describes himself as an “ex-professional addict…with over 18 years of use and abuse experience” and claims “addicts don’t choose addiction — addiction chooses them.”
“My passion is to help my addicted clients successfully move through the various ‘stages of change’ to prevent their deaths,” he wrote.
Hyden’s Amazon author bio lists him as a substance Abuse Counselor, instructor, public speaker, and wellness advocate in New York City.
“His mission is to use his lifelong experience with addiction to teach addicts how to save themselves and achieve long-term recovery,” it says.
Terrifying surveillance footage showed the truck barreling down the street with no signs of slowing down at the intersection just before the crash.
The car jumped the curb and into a fence — which did nothing to stop it — sending sparks into the air as the vehicle hurled toward the family, the video shows.
Two of those killed late Thursday were identified as Lucille Pinkney, 59, and her son Herman Pinkney, 38 — who lived together near the crash scene — as the third remained unidentified early Friday.
The other seven injured included a mother and her 11-year-old son, according to sources.
They were rushed to Bellevue, New York Presbyterian Downtown, Mount Sinai Beth Israel and NYU Langone. Four are clinging to life and three others are in serious condition, FDNY Chief Michael Myers said.
Two were treated with minor injuries.
Hyden sustained head and facial lacerations and was transported to Bellevue Hospital, police said.
His rap sheet includes a prior assault in February. Hyden was charged with assault and harassment following a dispute with a teacher in New York. He allegedly punched the victim in the eye.
In 2015, Hyden was charged with a traffic offense and driving under the influence in Wisconsin, court records show. He pleaded guilty to the former charge and the latter was dismissed.
For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/
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