NYC Drunk Driver in July 4th Crash Has Troubling Criminal Past!

The tragic July Fourth crash on the Lower East Side of New York City has brought to light the troubling past of Daniel Christopher Hyden, the suspected drunken driver responsible for the deadly incident.

Hyden, 44, allegedly rammed his pickup truck into a crowded park, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and leaving eight others injured. His extensive criminal record and history of violence and alcohol abuse have now come under scrutiny as authorities piece together the events leading up to the crash.

Hyden’s criminal history spans several years and includes multiple incidents of assault and driving while intoxicated. In February of this year, Hyden was involved in an incident at an East Harlem substance abuse counseling school, where he was an instructor.

Atiba Boyce, a 41-year-old trainee, reported that Hyden threw a chair at him during a class. Boyce described Hyden as aggressive and noted that while he never smelled alcohol on Hyden’s breath, there was always something off about him. Following this incident, Hyden was charged with assault and harassment.

In addition to the February assault, Hyden has two other past run-ins with the NYPD. Both assault cases, from January 2020 and October 2022, have since been sealed. These incidents paint a picture of a man with a propensity for violence and an inability to control his temper.

Hyden’s struggle with addiction is well-documented, both in his criminal record and his writings. He has worked in various positions mentoring other addicts across New York City, including roles at Montefiore Medical Center, Lincoln Hospital, and a non-profit organization called Services for UnderServed. Despite his professional efforts to help others, Hyden’s battles with addiction have continued to haunt him.

In his book, “The Sober Addict,” Hyden candidly discusses his numerous brushes with the law and the debilitating effects of addiction. He writes about his experiences with law enforcement and incarceration, attributing many of his legal issues to his substance abuse.

Hyden’s transparency about his struggles has garnered attention, but it also highlights the ongoing challenges he faced in managing his addiction.

Hyden’s history of driving under the influence further compounds the severity of the July Fourth incident. Court records reveal that Hyden had previous DUI convictions in New Jersey from 2006 to 2011. Additionally, in 2015, he was arrested in Wisconsin for a third-offense drunken driving charge.

During this arrest, a local police officer noticed Hyden driving without his lights on after leaving an Oktoberfest celebration in Milwaukee. Hyden’s blood-alcohol content was tested at 0.13%, well above the legal limit of 0.08%. A glass stein with beer was also found in his car.

This 2015 incident occurred near Waukesha, a city that would later become infamous for a 2021 tragedy where a man drove an SUV through a Christmas parade, killing six people and injuring more than 60. The eerie parallels between the Waukesha and Lower East Side incidents have not gone unnoticed, though they remain unrelated.

The impact of the July Fourth crash has been profound, leaving the Lower East Side community in mourning. Susan Opper, district attorney for Waukesha County, expressed her condolences and outrage over the incident, drawing from her own community’s experience with vehicular violence. She emphasized the importance of holding Hyden accountable if the allegations of impaired driving are proven true.

Hyden’s most recent run-in with the law before the crash was the February altercation with Boyce at the East Harlem vocational school. Boyce recounted how the incident unfolded after he complained to a supervisor about Hyden’s condescending and antagonistic behavior.

Hyden allegedly threatened Boyce, squared up for a fight, and attacked him. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has not yet commented on the status of this case.

Boyce, who faced Hyden’s aggression firsthand, expressed his desire for prosecutors to pursue anger management treatment or community service for Hyden. He believes that addressing Hyden’s underlying emotional issues is crucial, as his reactions indicate deeper problems.

As the investigation into the July Fourth crash continues, the community and law enforcement officials are grappling with the devastating impact of Hyden’s actions. The incident has reignited discussions about the need for stringent measures to prevent impaired driving and support those struggling with addiction.

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The victims of the crash and their families are now seeking justice, and there is a collective hope that Hyden will be held accountable for the lives lost and the injuries sustained. The tragic events of Independence Day serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of addressing the root causes of addiction and violence.