Overview
- The non-jury case opened before State Supreme Court Justice April Newbauer in Manhattan.
- Prosecutors said the Ford F-150 struck 11 people at up to 52 mph, stopped only by bodies beneath it, and cited a .17 BAC plus Hyden’s book.
- Witness Hector Moreno testified the driver kept his foot on the gas as victims were trapped, while grieving mother Liliana Ruiz described her daughter’s final moments.
- The defense challenged the toxicology and argued a right-foot injury limited braking, pointing to data showing speed fell from 52 to 48.1 mph just before impact.
- Hyden has pleaded not guilty to four counts of second-degree murder and aggravated vehicular homicide; the dead were Emily Ruiz, Hernan Pinkney, Lucille Pinkney, and Ana Morel, with seven others injured.