Galloway Man Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter in Alleged Drunk Driving Incident

A Galloway Township man who is employed as a telecommunications officer with the Absecon Police Department has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed a 29-year-old man on Feb. 6, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced Friday night.

Richard Doherty, 36, was charged with first degree aggravated manslaughter for “recklessly causing the death of Alfonso Dickerson under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life, specifically by driving while highly intoxicated.”

At about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 6, Galloway Township Police responded to Tilton Road for a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Crash Unit also responded to the scene.

Police found Dickeson’s body after it had allegedly been hit by Doherty.

Dickerson was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigation determined that Dickerson was struck while walking on the southbound shoulder of Tilton Road.

Doherty was taken into custody at the scene, and charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Friday’s additional charges were announced following a continuing investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Crash Unit and the Galloway Township Police Department.

Doherty was arrested without incident in Pleasantville. Doherty was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $200,000 full cash bail.

If convicted, Doherty faces 10 to 30 years of incarceration in New Jersey State prison.