RIVERDALE, N.J. — Keith M. Gunther, a 42-year-old sergeant with the East Hanover Police Department, has been charged with vehicular homicide and assault by auto in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in Riverdale on October 15, authorities announced.
According to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Riverdale Police Chief Charles Quant, the incident took place at approximately 10:58 p.m. on Route 23 North. Investigators determined that Gunther was driving a 2021 Ford F-150 southbound in the northbound lanes when he collided head-on with a 2005 Toyota Camry traveling north.
The crash resulted in the death of Hamid Shabuddin, a 55-year-old front-seat passenger in the Toyota Camry, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Camry, whose identity has not been released, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities reported that Gunther showed signs of impairment at the scene. Following a criminal investigation, he was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and third-degree assault by auto. Additionally, he was issued a summons for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
Under the terms of New Jersey’s Criminal Justice Reform Act, Gunther was released with non-monetary bail conditions. These conditions include Pretrial Monitoring (Level III), surrender of his driver’s license and passport, and a prohibition on excessive alcohol use. His next court appearance, a Pre-Indictment Conference, is scheduled for December 9, 2024, before Judge Claudia Jones.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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