Trial Begins for Man Accused of Fatal July 4th Drunk Driving Incident

Opening Day of Trial

• 💔 The trial has begun for Daniel Hayen, accused of driving drunk and killing four people during July 4th celebrations.
• 😭 Family members shared emotional testimonies, describing how the incident shattered their lives.

Devastating Impact of the Incident

• 🚗 Hayen allegedly drove his pickup truck drunk, ran stop signs, and crashed through a fence into a crowd.
• 💔 Four people were killed, including mother and son Lucille and Herman Pinkney, and 30-year-old Emily Ruiz.
• 🤕 Seven others were injured, including an 11-year-old child and Hector Moreno, who testified about the chaos.

Victim Testimonies

• 😥 One mother testified she begged her daughter, Emily, to stay alive as she was pinned under Hayen's truck.
• 🧸 Emily's young son brought his toy first aid kit, pleading for his mother not to die.
• 💥 Moreno described the scene as pure mayhem, with nowhere to escape.

Events Leading Up to the Incident

• 🚫 Prosecutors detailed that Hayen was denied entry to a party boat earlier that evening due to appearing drunk.
• 👊 A brawl ensued, and Hayen was later seen by responding officers before getting into his truck and driving away.

Legal Proceedings

• ⚖️ Prosecutors maintain Hayen's blood alcohol level was .17%, a point the defense is challenging.
• 👨‍⚖️ This is a bench trial, meaning a judge will decide the verdict, and it is expected to last approximately two weeks.