3 killed, 8 injured after alleged drunk driver plows into crowd at NYC park

NEW YORK CITY - Three people were killed after an alleged drunk driver plowed his vehicle into a crowd inside a NYC park in Lower Manhattan, striking 11 people right in the middle of 4th of July celebrations, the NYPD said.

According to police, a 44-year-old man – identified by police as Daniel Hyden – was driving a Gray Ford F-150 sped down Water Street through an intersection on Thursday just before 9 p.m., drove up onto the sidewalk and plowed into people gathered in Corlears Hook Park, just off the FDR Drive.

"They [FDNY] encountered a pickup truck on top of four victims," said FDNY Assistant Chief, Michael Meyers. "They used their airbags, floor jacks and cribbing in order to lift the vehicle off of the victims."

Police say three of the four victims under the truck died. All three, authorities say, were adults. Two of the victims have been identified as 59-year-old Lucille Pinkney, and her son, 38-year-old Hernan Pinkney.

Obtained by Robert Moses: Lucille Pinkney and her son Hernan Pinkney

"Responding officers who did arrive on the scene did smell some alcohol," said NYPD Chief of Department, Jeffrey Maddrey. "There were people who were there at the scene who grabbed the driver, removed the driver and made sure the driver didn't leave."

Hyden, of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, was charged with multiple counts of driving while under the influence and driving without a license.

"You have a tragic incident like this that really impacts family members who were just here celebrating and barbecuing inside a park," says NYC Mayor Eric Adams.

One person remains in critical condition, the NYPD said.