Police dispatcher gets 12 years in prison for deadly DWI crash

GALLOWAY — A former Absecon police dispatcher was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison for driving drunk and killing a pedestrian in this township in February 2015.

An Atlantic County jury in July convicted Richard Doherty, 37, of aggravated manslaughter.

Doherty must serve 10 years and two months before he will be eligible for parole.

Prosecutors say Doherty drove into Alfonso Dickerson, who had been walking along the shoulder of Tilton Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene and Doherty was arrested at the scene.

After the arrest, Doherty lost his job as a communications supervisor for the Absecon Police Department.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.