The former girlfriend of the suspected drunk driver accused of causing a fatal accident in a Manhattan park on July Fourth was surprised but not shocked when she learned of his involvement.
The woman, who shares a 12-year-old daughter with Daniel Christopher Hyden, revealed to The Post on Friday that Hyden has been struggling with alcoholism for a long time, and she had warned him that such an incident might occur one day.
She stated, “He’s supposedly sober, but obviously not. This is shocking because he hurt people. He killed people. I’m so hurt over that.”
Despite her shock, she added, “But I’m not surprised. This is the reason we’re not together, because of his issues.”
She expressed her feelings of guilt after learning about the tragic event, stating, “I told him this would happen one day. I told him.”
Hyden, who is an addiction counselor and self-proclaimed addict, was charged with driving while intoxicated after his truck struck a group of people at a July Fourth celebration in Corlears Hook Park in the Lower East Side.
The ex-girlfriend mentioned that Hyden had a history of alcohol abuse, but she was unsure if he was still drinking since their separation in 2016. She mentioned that his father also struggled with addiction.
After their breakup, Hyden pursued a career in alcohol and drug counseling to better himself, but his battle with alcoholism made it difficult for him to maintain employment. She revealed that he briefly worked as a police officer in Georgia.
Hyden allegedly drove his truck into a crowd of people at Corlears Hook Park, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.
The victims were identified as Lucille Pinkney, 59, and her son Hernan Pinkney, 38, who lived near the crash site, and Ana Morel, 43.
Witnesses at the park prevented Hyden from leaving the scene until police arrived.
Hyden is facing charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and eight counts of assault in the second-degree.
Neighbors and Hyden’s Facebook profile indicate that he is a US Army veteran. He authored a book called “The Sober Addict” in 2020, providing guidance on living with addiction.
Hyden also runs a YouTube channel where he offers addiction advice and workout videos as a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach and Certified Personal Trainer.
A Bronx neighbor of Hyden described him as a good guy and funny, expressing shock at his involvement in the tragic incident. She mentioned that he was health-conscious and friendly to her.
Hyden’s building superintendent described him as a quiet man who didn’t interact much with others, stating, “I thought he was good people.”
