Police chief found 'too drunk' after hit-run given raise, retirement bonus South Bound Brook top cop denied hit-and-run accident, never charged with DWI, gets to retire in good standing.

SOUTH BOUND BROOK - The police chief who was ticketed for a hit-and-run accident in front of borough hall after a subordinate officer found him stumbling drunk at home retired this month with a golden parachute worth more than $258,000.

William King, who was never charged with driving while intoxicated in the April 4 accident, received a $109,875 payout and a retroactive pay increase amounting to $148,561 for retiring in good standing on Dec. 1, according to a copy of the settlement agreement obtained by open-government advocate John Paff and shared with MyCentralJersey.com.

King also is eligible for a six-figure public pension for the rest of his life and will be allowed to keep his Smith & Wesson M&P with three magazines and holsters, as well as a retired chief’s badge and identification card.

The settlement agreement also calls for the borough to retain letters from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office clearing him of administrative charges.

King, 51, was issued Municipal Court summons for leaving the scene of the 2 a.m. accident on Main Street. He also was ticketed for careless driving and making an improper turn.

The chief reportedly struck a car parked on Main Street in front of borough hall and police headquarters, which is next to the South Side Grille.

The police officer investigating the accident went to King’s house about a half-hour later because a witness’ description of the vehicle that had caused the accident matched King’s vehicle, which the officer had seen at the bar earlier that evening.

The officer said King’s breath smelled of alcohol and "he appeared to have been drinking” and "appeared to be too intoxicated to attempt to get any further in-depth statement from him." King, however, denied causing an accident.

Borough officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

King becomes the second consecutive police chief in the borough of 4,500 residents to be pushed out of the post. Robert Verry left the job after clashing with elected officials. In 2013, the borough paid Verry $155,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming he was owed $110,000 in unused sick time.

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Staff Writer Sergio Bicaho: 908-243-6615; sbichao@mycentraljersey.com