RIVERDALE BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — A former East Hanover police sergeant has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in Riverdale on Oct. 15, 2024, authorities announced.
Keith M. Gunther, 42, of Wanaque Borough, pleaded guilty on April 8 to second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, third-degree assault by auto, and driving under the influence. On June 17, Morris County Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor imposed the sentence. Gunther must serve 85% of the term before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act.
The charges stem from a crash on Route 23 North, where Gunther, while off duty, was driving his personal vehicle, a 2021 Ford F-150, southbound in the northbound lanes. He collided with a 2005 Toyota Camry, killing front-seat passenger Hamid Shabuddin, 55, of Paterson. The Camry’s driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Gunther, who showed signs of intoxication at the scene, is no longer employed by the East Hanover Police Department, officials said.
The investigation involved collaboration among the Riverdale Police Department, Pequannock Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
