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Witnesses and Officer Testify on Day 2 of Bench Trial in July 4 Lower East Side Crash That Killed 4

A judge will weigh claims of intoxication against a defense citing an injured foot.

Overview

  • Police bodycam from an earlier Pier 36 encounter was shown as a responding officer described Hyden appearing intoxicated and being told he should not drive less than 30 minutes before the crash.
  • Witnesses recounted hearing the engine revving after the truck hit people, with some pulling Hyden from the vehicle and striking him before police intervened.
  • Prosecutors say Hyden’s blood-alcohol level was about .17 and that he struck the crowd at roughly 52 mph, arguing the truck stopped only because victims were trapped underneath.
  • A doctor from the Medical Examiner’s Office and additional witnesses testified as the court reviewed graphic scene footage and family members described the aftermath.
  • Hyden has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, and related charges in the judge-only trial, which is expected to last up to two weeks.