Former Chief William C. King of South Bound Brook Police Department is accused of leaving the scene of the accident and then lying to another officer about what happened.
Now, instead of facing criminal charges, King will be receiving nearly $260,000 in sick time, vacation time, personal time, retroactive and compensatory pay and one-year's salary. He will also be eligible to seek employment with another police force.
On April 15, South Bound Brook patrolman Richard Meinsen responded to King's home to check on him after a report of an accident that the chief was said to have been involved in. His vehicle matched the car’s description and there was alcohol on his breath, but he told the responding officer that he had just had a couple of drinks at home.
"His breath smelled of alcoholic beverages and he appeared to have been drinking," the responding officer wrote in his report. "He stated to me without my asking that he had a few drinks while at home."
King’s vehicle had damage that matched what would have been caused by the accident as described by witness reports.
"He stated that he didn't strike any vehicle and that if he did he would have recalled doing so," the officer continued on to say in his report. "Chief King appeared to be too intoxicated as to attempt to get any further in-depth statement from him."
In May, King was charged with failure to report an accident, careless driving and improper turning.
On December 1, the former chief settled with the department and agreed to "release any and all claims against South Bound Brook without any admission of liability or otherwise related to his employment."
He will be permitted to keep his retired chief’s badge, his service weapon and three magazines and holsters, NJ.com reported.
