A man accused of driving while intoxicated in a crash the killed another motorist in Gloucester County has agreed to enter a guilty plea in return for a three-year prison sentence.
Patrick M. Dunn, 44, of Harrisonville, was driving a pickup truck on Ellis Mill Road in Elk Township shortly before 7 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2022, when the vehicle collided head-on with a car driven by Amy Buchanan, 56, of Gloucester Township, according to police.
Buchanan died at the scene.
A police officer detected a strong odor of alcohol from Dunn’s vehicle and reported his speech was slurred, and his eyes were watery and bloodshot, a prosecutor previously stated in court.
Dunn was unable to complete field sobriety tests and while speaking to an officer at the scene, he made a “spontaneous statement that he had a couple of beers,” according to Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Jonathan Amira.
A grand jury indicted Dunn last year on a second-degree count of reckless death by auto and third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide.
Under a plea agreement signed Tuesday, Dunn agreed to plead guilty to second-degree death by auto.
In return, the prosecutor will recommend a three-year prison sentence, according to the plea form.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 26.
Dunn’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the case on Wednesday.
Buchanan was remembered as a “loving wife, mother, and daughter” who “always had a smile and encouragement to offer all,” according to her obituary.
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
