Man Charged in Connection with Fatal Crash in Riverdale

Published on October 29, 2024

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Riverdale Police Chief Charles Quant announce that Keith M. Gunther, age 42, of Wanaque NJ, has been charged with second degree Vehicular Homicide and third degree Assault by Auto in connection with a two-vehicle crash that occurred in the Borough of Riverdale on October 15, 2024.

On October 15, 2024, at approximately 10:58 p.m., law enforcement responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 23 North.  The investigation would reveal that a 2021 Ford F-150 had been traveling south in the northbound lanes of travel and struck a 2005 Toyota Camry traveling north.

The front passenger of the Toyota Camry was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The passenger was identified as Hamid Shabuddin, age 55, of Paterson.  The driver of the Toyota Camry sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash and was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment.  The driver will not be identified at this time.

The driver of the Ford F-150 was identified as Keith M. Gunther. Gunther exhibited signs of being under the influence at the scene. As a result of the criminal investigation, Gunther was charged with one count of second degree Vehicular Homicide and one count of third degree Assault by Auto.  He has also been issued a summons for Driving While Intoxicated.  Gunther is a sergeant with the East Hanover Police.

Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Gunther was released from custody on a series of non-monetary bail conditions including Pretrial Monitoring (Level III), surrender of his driver’s license and passport, and to refrain from excessive use of alcohol.  The next scheduled court appearance will be a Pre-Indictment Conference on December 9, 2024, before the Hon. Claudia Jones, J.S.C.

Members of the Riverdale Police Department, Pequannock Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit participated in this investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or the Riverdale Police Department at 973-835-0034.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to mknab@co.morris.nj.us.