Drunk Driver Gets Decade In Prison After Killing Howell Resident

HOWELL, NJ – A Nutley man was sentenced on Thursday in connection with a crash that killed a Howell resident, according to authorities. William Dunbar, 26, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison after admitting to driving drunk and killing a Howell man in Mount Laurel two years ago.

The 2018 incident occurred on Aug. 19 on Route 73 near Church Road in Mount Laurel. At approximately 12:30 a.m, Dunbar was driving northbound at over 100 miles per hour when he crashed into the rear of another vehicle traveling the same direction. The crash caused the victim’s vehicle to overturn several times and hit a utility pole on the highway.

The driver, Howell resident Christopher Pappas, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither vehicle had passengers.

An investigation later revealed that Dunbar had been drinking alcohol at a concert before the crash. According to authorities, his blood alcohol level was .118 at the time of the incident.

Dunbar pled guilty in January to aggravated manslaughter in exchange for the 10-year sentence, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

Pappas’ obituary notes that he was a longtime Howell resident, born in Edison, and graduated from Monmouth University with a degree in history and political science. He was active with Howell Township's recreation department and worked in hardware sales. Pappas was the son of Howell resident Frances Pappas and William and Kathy Pappas of Flemington.

According to NJ.com, several people, including Pappas’ mother, told Burlington County Superior Court Judge Philip E. Haines that the Howell man was an easygoing person who was caring, funny and loyal to those he loved. “These are some of the hardest kinds of cases a judge could have,” Haines said at Thursday’s sentencing. “Everybody’s heart is broken."

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