The alleged drunk driver who crashed into a crowd celebrating the Fourth of July in a New York City park killing three people been identified as a substance abuse counselor who once wrote a book called "The Sober Addict," according to reports.
Daniel Christopher Hyden, 44, was taken into custody by police following the crash on Thursday at Corlears Hook Park on the Lower East Side where he allegedly struck 11 people barbecuing, killing three, injuring eight, and pinning four of them under his Ford F-150 pickup truck, the Independent reported.
Hyden describes himself in his book as an "ex-professional addict ... with over 18 years of use and abuse experience."
At his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Saturday, prosecutors revealed records that show Hyden's license had been suspended four times and has not been reinstated because he ignored summonses that he received, the New York Post reported.
Hyden told police after he was taken to Bellevue Hospital that he "had a few alcoholic drinks," according to the criminal complaint, the newspaper reported.
Prosecutors said Hyden refused breathalyzer tests after the crash and kept his eyes shut so officers wouldn't be able to see if his eyes were bloodshot.
"He even went so far as to close his eyes so that they could not test that," Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Matt Bogdanos told the judge. "And your honor, in a moment you're going to see how it is the defendant knew so much about sobriety tests."
Lab results are still out on Hyden's blood alcohol level, but Bogdanos displayed Hyden's lengthy rap sheet that includes a number of convictions in Georgia, Wisconsin and New Jersey on charges ranging from driving with a suspended license, to DWI to assault, the New York Post reported.
Bogdanos then showed photos of the destruction after Hyden's pickup jumped a sidewalk and crashed into the people celebrating Independence Day in the park.
"That damage is from striking 11 human beings," Bogdanos said.
"So far, there's three dead, judge. One is still in critical condition and seven others were treated at ... four different hospitals. He struck so many people that it required four hospitals to treat all of them," he said.
The judge ordered Hyden to be held without bail.
