In a devastating incident during a Fourth of July celebration in New York City, a suspected drunk driver crashed his truck into a crowd, resulting in the loss of three lives and eight individuals sustaining injuries. The driver has been identified as Daniel Hyden, a wellness advocate and substance abuse counselor from New Jersey.

According to the authorities, the incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. at Corlears Hook Park in the Lower East Side. Hyden was driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck at a high rate of speed when he ran a stop sign, mounted a sidewalk, and collided with the group of people who were enjoying the evening. Among the deceased are Lucille Pinkney, 59, her son Hernan Pinkney, 38, and an unidentified female.

NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey stated in a late-night police briefing that responding officers detected the smell of alcohol at the scene. Fortunately, there were individuals present who swiftly apprehended Hyden, preventing him from fleeing.

Hyden is facing charges of three counts of driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs and one count of operating a vehicle without a license. Additional charges are expected to be added. On Friday, Hyden was escorted out of the 7th Police Precinct, where he faced harsh criticism from the public and the victims' relatives. He appeared battered, wearing a blood-splattered white t-shirt with visible injuries to his face.

It has been reported that Hyden authored a book titled "The Sober Addict," released in 2020, offering guidance on how to navigate the challenges of addiction. In this book, he refers to himself as an "ex-professional addict" with extensive experience in substance abuse. Hyden's Amazon author profile lists him as a substance abuse counselor, instructor, and public speaker.

Court records indicate that Hyden has a prior arrest for assault in February and was charged with a traffic offense and driving under the influence in Wisconsin in 2015. He pleaded guilty to the assault charge, while the DUI charge was dismissed.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene discovered the victims, including the three fatalities, trapped beneath the truck. They employed airbags, floor jacks, and cribbing to lift the vehicle and provide immediate aid.

During a press conference, New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences and confirmed that the incident was not terrorism-related. He emphasized that the victims were innocent individuals who were simply celebrating like countless others across the city and the country.

As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss caused by this horrific incident. The focus now remains on providing support to the injured and the grieving families affected by this tragic event.

Note: The generated news article is based on the information provided and may not include all details or additional developments that may have occurred after the given context.