Another person dies after LES July 4 drunk diving crash, police say

Also, a win for Equal Rights Amendment supporters. [View this email in a browser.]( Gothamist relies on your support to make local news available to all. Not yet a member? [Consider donating and join today.]( [NYPD: 4th person dead after drunk driver rammed into LES park on July 4th]( [first image]( [Today's newsletter curated by Emily Nadal]( Weather: ☁️☔ A cloudy, rainy day with a high of 85 degrees. It’s Friday morning in New York City and a fourth person [has died as a result of a July 4th drunk driving crash]( at a Lower East Side park. After spending five days in critical condition, 30-year-old Emily Ruiz died from her injuries on Tuesday, police said. Ruiz had been part of the crowd that was gathered at Corlears Hook Park to celebrate the holiday when she was hit by 44-year-old Daniel Hyden who allegedly lost control of his truck before crashing in the park, according to the NYPD. Two women, 59 and 43, and a 38-year-old man were also killed. Here’s what else is happening: - Chad Irish, the man arrested for allegedly concealing a dead woman in a sleeping bag on the street in Kips Bay, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday on [murder and other charges.]( - Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment, a measure that would enshrine abortion rights in New York’s state constitution, [successfully pushed the referendum through another round of legal challenges]( Thursday, possibly clearing the way for it to remain on the ballot this November. - Several swimming lakes in New York are closed [because of blue-green algae blooms]( which can make people (and pets) sick. - A stretch of Rockaway Beach was temporarily closed yesterday after [police drones spotted a shark]( in the waters. - Not everyone is a fan of those new NYPD drones, including local shorebirds who think the drones are predators and [have been fighting against them]( since they made their debut in May. - Food delivery fees in New York City have g[one up 58%]( since the city implemented a new minimum wage for delivery workers. - The New York Writers Coalition is [shutting down after 22 years]( of providing free writing workshops to literary hopefuls. The organization said they’ve been struggling to pay the bills with less emergency pandemic funds and diminished philanthropic spending. - Today and tomorrow are your last chances to catch a glimpse of Manhattanhenge this year. [Here’s where you can get the best view.]( - Cars have proved to be deadlier than guns in New York City so far this year with [127 people killed by drivers]( in the first half of 2024 compared to 82 who were fatally shot over the same period. - A driver fatally struck a [three-year-old girl who was crossing a Manhattan street]( with her mother and siblings Thursday evening. - Humans aren’t the only ones who are harmed by reckless driving, animals are in danger too. The penalty for killing a dog in a hit-run-crash in New York City, however, [is just $100]( maybe. - The Beastie Boys are suing Chili’s over claims that the chain restaurant [used their song “Sabotage,”]( and parts of the music video, in a social media ad without their permission. - We’ve resurrected our COVID stats page in light of this summer’s COVID spike. [Check out maps and charts of the latest COVID wave.]( - The New York Liberty mascot, Ellie the Elephant, is such an It Girl right now. She reminded fans to “gas her up” at Barclays Center games, along with some other hot girl summer advice [in this Time Out interview.]( - Gentle reader, some Bridgerton devotees have shown an [appalling level of disdain]( over the Ton's inclusivity. Your humble author is reminded of that aged axiom: Haters gonna hate. ["These anti-abortion operatives will not be deterred from seeking other methods to undermine our rights. ... Now more than ever, we need to make sure our fundamental rights and reproductive freedoms — including abortion — are protected from changing political tides."]( - Sasha Ahuja, campaign director for New Yorkers for Equal Rights, [DISCUSSING THE COURT OF APPEALS' RULING IN FAVOR OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.]( More from Gothamist [second image]( [Can these retired NY Democrats show Biden how to say goodbye?]( Lessons for Joe Biden from former Gov. David Paterson, retired Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, and more. [NYPD officer convicted of repeatedly punching man in face in Greenwich Village]( The now retired officer could spend a year in prison. [We Rely On Your Support]( [NYC nightlife legend DJ Rekha brings 'Basement Bhangra' back to summer festivals]( “Every time I try to get out, they pull me back in,” said DJ Rekha, of reviving the popular dance party. [Video of Eric Garner's death shook NYC. 10 years later, when is it OK to film the NYPD?]( Experts say you have a First Amendment right to film the NYPD in public, as long as you don’t interfere with what they’re doing or break the law. [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [New York Public Radio] [WNYC]( | [WQXR]( | [NJPR]( | [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( | [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. All rights reserved. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 [TERMS OF USE]( You can update your [PREFERENCES]( or [UNSUBSCRIBE]( from this list.