The individual suspected of driving drunk in the tragic July Fourth incident on the Lower East Side has a significant criminal history, including previous violent behavior and alcohol-related offenses. This person, Daniel Christopher Hyden, 44, is reported to have been involved in various altercations and incidents prior to the recent fatal crash, as revealed by court records, law enforcement sources, and his own statements.
Atiba Boyce, 41, recounted an incident where Hyden, who was Boyce’s instructor at a substance abuse counseling school in East Harlem, threw a chair at him during a class in February. Boyce mentioned that although he never smelled alcohol on Hyden’s breath during teaching, there was something off about his behavior, making it plausible for Hyden to be connected to the tragic crash.
Hyden’s history includes assault and harassment charges for various incidents, some of which have been sealed by the authorities. He worked as a substance abuse counselor and openly discussed his struggles with addiction. His encounters with law enforcement and incarceration were attributed to his substance abuse issues, as mentioned in his book “The Sober Addict.”
One notable incident in Wisconsin in 2015 involved Hyden being arrested for driving under the influence, where his blood alcohol content was found to be over the legal limit. This event occurred near Waukesha, the same location where a previous SUV attack took place during a Christmas parade.
Hyden’s past convictions for drunken driving in New Jersey and Wisconsin resulted in a 130-day sentence. The district attorney for Waukesha County expressed sympathy for the victims of the Lower East Side crash and emphasized the need for accountability if the driver was indeed impaired at the time.
Hyden’s most recent legal trouble involved a physical altercation with Boyce at the vocational school, leading to an assault charge. Boyce expressed a desire for Hyden to address his emotional issues through anger management or community service.
Overall, Hyden’s troubled past and behavior patterns suggest a history of violence and substance abuse issues that may have contributed to the tragic incident on July Fourth.
