NJ Police Sergeant Faces DUI and Vehicular Homicide Charges in Drunken Wrong-Way Crash

NJ Police Sergeant Faces DUI and Vehicular Homicide Charges in Drunken Wrong-Way Crash

Staff

A NJ police sergeant is facing vehicular homicide and DUI charges after crashing while off duty and killing a passenger earlier this month.

Keith Gunther, 42, a East Hanover Police Department sergeant, was charged Tuesday with second-degree vehicular homicide and third-degree assault by an automobile. Gunther, a Wanaque resident, was also cited for driving under the influence after the October 15 crash, which took place on Route 23.

Around 11 p.m. that night, Gunther’s Ford F-150 reportedly crossed the centerline while heading south in the northbound lane, colliding head-on with a Toyota Camry in Riverdale. Authorities said Gunther showed signs of intoxication at the scene.

Hamid Shabuddin, a 55-year-old passenger in the Camry, was pronounced dead at the scene. Shabuddin, who had recently moved from South Africa to New Jersey, was carpooling to a night shift with a co-worker. The driver of the Camry was hospitalized with injuries.

Gunther was taken into custody but released with conditions, including surrendering his driver’s license and passport and enrolling in pretrial monitoring. His attorney described him as a “man of great service” who has served overseas with the National Guard and been with the East Hanover Police Department for 17 years.

Gunther is scheduled to appear in Morris County Superior Court on December 9 for a pre-indictment conference.