A New Jersey man was convicted on all 12 counts Monday in a drunk driving crash that killed four people celebrating the Fourth of July in 2024 on Manhattan's Lower East Side. 

Daniel Hyden, 44, of Monmouth Junction, was found guilty of four counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, along with assault charges, in the deaths of Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, Ana Morel and Emily Ruiz. Hyden is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 3 and could face life in prison.

Hyden did not make eye contact as he was led into the courtroom in handcuffs, and he showed little reaction as the verdict was read. 

Victims' family members react to verdict

Family members of the victims broke down in tears, some quietly saying "yes" each time the judge said "guilty." They called it the justice they've been waiting for since the deadly holiday. 

"It was definitely a big relief. Coming in, I was very nervous, shaking. As soon as we sat down, my legs started shaking," Diamond Pinkney said outside court. "Once the judge started talking, all that went away right away."

"I pray every night that this man is going to get his," Liana Lewis said. 

"Everything that we do, everything that we breathe is like a part of us is missing, you know? Lucille had the biggest impact on my life, and so did Herman," Krystal Jimenez added. 

"Tragically and abruptly ended four of their lives"

Prosecutors said Hyden was intoxicated and speeding when he drove his Ford F-150 pickup through a construction zone, onto a sidewalk and through a chain link fence, crashing into a crowd at Corlears Hook Park. 

Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney and Morel were pronounced dead on the scene. Ruiz was pronounced dead five days later. Seven other people were injured. 

"Daniel Hyden tragically and abruptly ended four of their lives, in the same park they grew up going to. Ana Morel, who spent her Fourth of July with her neighbors; Lucille Pinkney, who raised her kids in that park; Herman Pinkney, who attended the barbecue with his mother, fiancée and childhood friend; Emily Ruiz, who attended the barbecue annually with her neighbors," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said after the verdict.

"I hope this conviction sends a message to anyone who might drive intoxicated," Bragg added.

Witnesses kept Hyden from leaving the crash scene

Prosecutors also said Hyden tried to put the truck in reverse and leave the scene, but he was stopped by witnesses who took the key from the ignition. Some of the witnesses testified during trial, saying they pulled him from the truck and beat him. A responding officer also testified about separating him from the crowd. 

Body camera video from earlier that day showed officers at nearby Pier 36, where Hyden was denied entry to a boat party for being intoxicated and got into a fight with security. 

His defense attorneys argued his foot was injured and he lost control of his truck, but the judge rejected that claim.