2019 — June 21, Pickup truck crashes into ten motorcycles, U.S. 2, Randolph, NH — 7
–7 AP. “Officials seek help in deadly motorcycle crash probe…” KKTV 11, 6-22-2019.
–7 BostonHerald.com. “Truck driver in…motorcycle crash had drunken driving history.” 6-24-2019.
–7 CBS/AP. “7 killed after motorcycles and pickup truck collide in New Hampshire.” 6-22-2019.
Narrative Information
June 22, CBS/AP: “At least seven people were killed and three others injured when a pickup truck crashed with 10 motorcycles, authorities said. State police said the pickup truck was on fire when emergency crews arrived….New Hampshire State Police said a 2016 Dodge 2500 pickup truck collided with the riders on U.S. 2 in Randolph on Friday evening. The cause of the deadly collision is not yet known.
“Along with the seven dead, state police said two additional people were transported to the Androscoggin Valley Hospital and one was airlifted to Maine Medical….Authorities said Saturday afternoon that two of the three had been released from hospitals.
“The pickup driver was a 23-year-old man working for a transportation company based in Springfield, Massachusetts, authorities said. He was the truck’s sole occupant….” (CBS/AP. “7 killed after motorcycles and pickup truck collide in New Hampshire.” 6-22-2019.)
June 22, CNN: “Seven motorcyclists were killed and three others injured when they collided with a pickup truck that was going the opposite direction in New Hampshire, police said. Authorities received a call around 6:30 p.m. Friday about a motor vehicle crash on Route 2 in Randolph, New Hampshire State Police Capt. Chris Vetter said. The pickup truck…was traveling west on Route 2 while the motorcyclists were traveling east, police said.
“The driver of the pickup truck has been identified as Volodoymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, Coos County Attorney John McCormick said at a news conference Saturday….” (CNN. “7 motorcyclists are dead after colliding with a pickup truck in New Hampshire.” 6-22-2019.)
June 22, AP: “Randolph, N.H. (AP)…. Authorities identified the pickup driver as Volodoymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, an employee of a Springfield, Massachusetts, company called Westfield Transport. Zhukovskyy survived the accident and has not been charged, authorities said, but they didn’t release details on his condition or his whereabouts….
“The National Transportation Safety Board is among the agencies investigating….
“A 2016 Dodge 2500 pickup truck towing a flatbed trailer of the kind used to haul cars collided with the bikers around 6:30 p.m. Friday on U.S. 2, a two-lane highway in Randolph, police said….” (Associated Press/Michael Casey and Patrick Whittle. ‘‘We all feel it’: Motorcyclists mourn death of 7 in crash.” BostonHerald.com. 6-22-2019.)
June 24: “Springfield — The 23-year-old West Springfield truck driver charged with killing[1] seven bikers Friday in New Hampshire had two drunken driving arrests — one just last month — along with a drug conviction on his extensive record and is now facing the prospect of deportation proceedings, court records show.[2]
“Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, a Ukrainian national with a U.S. green card, is due to be arraigned Tuesday in New Hampshire on seven counts of negligent homicide in the weekend motorcycle disaster — a crash his father said occurred on his son’s third day on the job….
“The father said they are from the Ukraine and his son recently got permanent resident status in the United States. The younger Zhukovskyy’s court file includes a newly filed June 23 letter from an ICE deportation officer requesting details of his 2017 heroin and cocaine convictions.
“The younger Zhukovskyy also has a lengthy driving record, including a drunken driving conviction in 2013 and an arrest after failing a field sobriety test last month in a Walmart parking lot in East Windsor, Conn.[3] He was due back in court for that case Wednesday.
“When asked why Zhukovskyy still had an active Massachusetts driver’s license before the crash, MassDOT spokeswoman Jacquelyn Goddard said in a statement: “The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is looking into this matter.”[4] His Massachusetts license was only suspended Monday because he was deemed an “immediate threat,” records show, despite his second OUI arrest on May 11.
“Massachusetts State Police arrested Zhukovskyy Monday morning [June 24] on a fugitive from justice charge out of New Hampshire. He was turned over to N.H. law enforcement officials. State police also confiscated “wax packets containing a residue suspected of being heroin,” when they arrested Zhukovskyy Monday. State police said additional charges may be filed if they test positive for heroin….
“The Friday crash killed seven bikers from a Massachusetts veterans group called the Jarheads Motorcycle Club. Killed were Jo-Ann and Edward Corr, both 58, of Lakeville; Michael Ferazzi, 62, of Contoocook, N.H.; Albert Mazza, 59, of Lee, N.H.; Desma Oakes, 42, of Concord, N.H.; Aaron Perry, 45, of Farmington, N.H.; and Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside, R.I.
“….Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles records show that Zhukovskyy’s license had been temporarily suspended shortly after a 2013 arrest in Westfield because he was deemed an “immediate threat.” The Westfield News reported in 2014 that Zhukovskyy was placed on probation for one year and had his license suspended for 210 days in that case.” (BostonHerald.com/Andrew Martinez and Rick Sobey. “Truck driver in fatal N.H. motorcycle crash had drunken driving history.” 6-24-2019.)
June 25: “Concord, N.H. — A pickup truck driver accused of colliding with a group of motorcyclists, killing seven of them, pleaded not guilty through his lawyer Tuesday to negligent homicide. Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, was ordered to remain in prevention detention, with a judge citing his past driving record, saying it poses a potential danger to the public and himself. Zhukovskyy earlier waived his right to arraignment, authorities said. The plea was entered by his attorney Melissa Davis in Coos County Court in Lancaster, New Hampshire. Zhukovskyy remains behind bars there.
“The truck Zhukovskyy was driving was towing a flatbed trailer and collided with the motorcycles in Randolph, investigators say. He was driving erratically and crossed the center line, according to criminal complaints released Tuesday….
“Records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration indicate that the company Zhukovskyy was driving for at the time of the motorcycle crash, Westfield Transport, has been cited for various violations in the past two years, MassLive.com reported….
“Relatives of Zhukovskyy said…he was on his way back to Massachusetts from dropping of a shipment of cars and appeared happy to be heading home.” (Associated Press. “Driver pleads not guilty in motorcycle crash that killed 7.” NBC News, 6-25-2019.)
June 26: “Concord, New Hampshire — The head of the Massachusetts motor vehicle division has resigned after her agency failed to terminate the commercial driving license of a man whose collision with a group of motorcyclists on a rural New Hampshire road left seven bikers dead…. Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack said in a statement that the state Registry of Motor Vehicles failed to act on information provided by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles about a drunken driving arrest involving Zhukovskyy. Pollack said the arrest should have cost him his commercial driving license. As a result, she accepted the resignation of Erin Deveney.
“Manny Ribeiro, who survived the crash, said the resignation was just one of many revelations about the driver that indicated the crash could have been prevented. But Ribeiro said it also felt ‘like someone was running around from the problem. We just get to quit and walk away and that’s it,” Ribeiro said. “Story over. See you later until the next time it happens and then the next person steps down. This is what happens every single time.’
“….A survivor of the crash said the trailer wiped out most of the bikers behind him….” (Associated Press. Michael Casey. “Head of Massachusetts motor vehicle division resigns amid fallout from deadly NH motorcycle crash.” Bangor Daily News, ME. 6-26-2019.)
June 27: “Baytown, Texas (KTRK) — A young truck driver charged in a deadly accident that killed seven people in New Hampshire had two run-ins with Baytown police in the months leading up to the tragedy. Portions of the Texas confrontation were captured on police body-worn cameras.
“…. Zhukovskyy was arrested by Baytown Police in February. The department tells ABC13 Eyewitness News that officers responded to a possible drunk person causing a disturbance in the Denny’s on I-10 East. “We got dispatched to an intoxicated person call,” said Lt. Steve Dorris with Baytown Police. “When they got there, they found him at the counter, rambling to himself, kind of incoherent.”…. Officers on the scene found a crack pipe and arrested him on a Class C misdemeanor. He was issued a fine and released. Records indicate that he paid that fine in March.
“The second interaction with police came on June 3, when Zhukovskyy, driving a car hauler, flipped his truck in the same area along I-10 East.[5] He told officers then that he was swerving to avoid hitting another car. No injuries were reported and he was not cited in the accident….” (Shay, Miya.. “Man accused of killing 7 bikers in New Hampshire arrested in Baytown.” ABC 13 Eyewitness News, Houston, TX. 6-27-2019.)
June 27: “Concord, New Hampshire — The company that employed a Ukrainian-born truck driver whose collision with motorcyclists in New Hampshire left seven dead has a history of violations including mechanical problems and drug-related infractions….According to an Associated Press analysis of federal data, Westfield Transport, based in Massachusetts, has faced more than 60 violations over the last 24 months, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data updated Tuesday. About one in five inspections of its vehicles ended with federal investigators issuing temporary orders saying the carrier was not authorized to operate. The company’s out-of-service rate is 20.8 percent — a figure nearly four times greater than the national average of 5.5 percent.
“Federal records show the company has faced seven violations for unsafe driving, which includes speeding in March 2018. That same month, the company faced two violations reported in Massachusetts and Vermont of drivers who were in possession of a narcotic drug or amphetamine.
“The company also received 11 other violations related to the fitness of its drivers, including an April violation for driving without a commercial driver’s license. Vehicle violations included inoperable head lamps in April and defective brakes in March….
“…in a brief interview with NECN-TV on Monday, the company owner, Dartanyan Gasanov, called the crash a “horrible accident.” He refused to address questions about Zhukovskyy, who had been on the job only three days. He said the company is cooperating with investigators.
“Prosecutors in Connecticut said Zhukovskyy was arrested last month after failing a sobriety test. His lawyer in that case said Zhukovskyy denies being intoxicated. Zhukovskyy also has a history of traffic arrests….” (AP. “Company that employed truck driver accused of colliding with motorcycles in deadly crash has history of violations.” Bangor Daily News, ME. 6-27-2019.)
June 28: “Boston, MA (WBZ) — The driver charged in a tragic crash that killed seven people last week in northern New Hampshire has been arrested in at least six states, records show. Two more incidents in Volodymyr Zhukovskyy‘s past were uncovered by WBZ-TV [Boston] Friday in Iowa and Ohio. He’s also been involved in incidents in Massachusetts, Texas and Connecticut.
“Here is a timeline of his incidents: [We have reordered events chronologically and added 2012.]
- Charged with speeding, driving without a license and negligent operation of a
motor vehicle in West Springfield, MA, when Zhukovskyy was 16.[6]
2013, June 16. Arrested for drunk driving in Westfield, Massachusetts. Driver’s license
suspended for 210 days.
2014, June 24. Arrested for a drug offense in Macedonia, Ohio. [Pled guilty in Ohio to
driving with a suspended license, speeding, providing false information and
possession of drug paraphernalia (while he was suspended from is 2013 for
operating a vehicle under the influence (OUI).][7]
[2015, Nov 30 burglary. Arrested in Connecticut for third-degree burglary related to the
theft of ladders and windows from a Home Depot.][8]
[2017, Jan. Charged with drug possession in West Springfield after heroin and cocaine found inside wallet found by station employee. Ordered to pay $200 fine.][9]
2018, Aug 3. Issued a commercial driver’s license in Massachusetts.
2019, Feb 11. Arrested in Baytown, Texas for possession of drug paraphernalia.
2019, Feb 18. Arrested for improper use of lanes and failure to comply with safety
regulations in Iowa.
2019, May 11. Failed a sobriety test in a Walmart parking lot in East Windsor, CT.
2019, May 29. Connecticut notified Massachusetts RMV of the May 11 incident.
2019, June 3. Lost control of an 18-wheeler and rolled over in Baytown, Texas. No
charges at this point in the investigation.
June 21, 2019. Randolph, New Hampshire crash. Seven people killed.
“Zhukovskyy is being held in a jail in Lancaster, New Hampshire on the negligent homicide charges in the Randolph crash. The Department of Homeland Security issued an immigration detainer on Zhukovskyy June 23, which means he could be deported back to the Ukraine if he’s released from police custody.” (FoxCarolina.com. “Driver in Deadly Randolph, NH Crash Has Been Arrested in 6 States.” 6-28-2019.)
July 12: “Boston (AP) — More than 1,600 Massachusetts drivers have had their licenses suspended following a Registry of Motor Vehicles review prompted by a deadly crash that killed seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire. The unprocessed out-of-state violations were discovered in bins at registry headquarters and during a search of the agency’s archives dating back to 2011….” (Associated Press/Steve LeBlanc “Probe Prompts More Than 1,600 Mass. Driver License Suspensions.” 7-12-2019.)
Sources
Associated Press (Michael Casey and Marina Villeneuve). “Company that employed truck driver accused of colliding with motorcycles in deadly crash has history of violations.” Bangor Daily News, ME. 6-27-2019. Accessed 6-27-2019 at: https://bangordailynews.com/2019/06/27/news/new-england/company-that-employed-truck-driver-accused-of-colliding-with-motorcycles-in-deadly-crash-has-history-of-violations/
Associated Press. “Driver pleads not guilty in motorcycle crash that killed 7.” NBC News, 6-25-2019. Accessed 6-25-2019 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/driver-pleads-not-guilty-motorcycle-crash-killed-7-n1021521
Associated Press. Michael Casey. “Head of Massachusetts motor vehicle division resigns amid fallout from deadly NH motorcycle crash.” Bangor Daily News, ME. 6-26-2019. Accessed 6-27-2019 at: https://bangordailynews.com/2019/06/26/news/new-england/head-of-massachusetts-motor-vehicle-division-resigns-amid-fallout-from-deadly-nh-motorcycle-crash/
Associated Press. “Officials seek help in deadly motorcycle crash probe involving members of Marine JarHeads MC.” KKTV 11, Colorado Springs, CO, 6-22-2019. Accessed 6-22-2019 at: https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Officials-seek-help-in-deadly-motorcycle-crash-probe-511682731.html
Associated Press/Steve LeBlanc “Probe Prompts More Than 1,600 Mass. Driver License Suspensions.” 7-12-2019. Accessed 7-13-2019 at: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/07/12/mass-rmv-investigation-license-suspensions-fatal-crash/
Associated Press/Michael Casey and Patrick Whittle. ‘‘We all feel it’: Motorcyclists mourn death of 7 in crash.” BostonHerald.com. 6-22-2019. Accessed 6-22-2019 at: https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/06/22/7-dead-3-hurt-in-fiery-crash-between-truck-motorcycles/
BostonHerald.com/Andrew Martinez and Rick Sobey. “Truck driver in fatal N.H. motorcycle crash had drunken driving history.” 6-24-2019. Accessed 6-24-2019 at: https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/06/24/truck-driver-in-fatal-n-h-motorcycle-crash-had-drunken-driving-history/
CBS/AP. “7 killed after motorcycles and pickup truck collide in New Hampshire.” 6-22-2019. Accessed 6-22-2019 at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-hampshire-motorcycle-crash-pickup-truck-several-dead-2019-06-22/
CNN. “7 motorcyclists are dead after colliding with a pickup truck in New Hampshire.” 6-22-2019. Accessed 6-22-2019 at: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/22/us/new-hampshire-accident-motorcyclists-pickup-truck/index.html
FoxCarolina.com. “Driver in Deadly Randolph, NH Crash Has Been Arrested in 6 States.” 6-28-2019. Accessed 6-29-2018 at: https://www.foxcarolina.com/driver-in-deadly-randolph-nh-crash-has-been-arrested-in/article_284c6c01-7744-5b8e-b331-a3d5aae27f13.html
Journal Inquirer (Tim Leininger), Manchester, CT. “West Springfield man charged with stealing ladders, windows from Enfield warehouse.” 7-13-2017. Accessed 6-29-2019 at: https://www.journalinquirer.com/towns/enfield/west-springfield-man-charged-with-stealing-ladders-windows-from-enfield/article_48aa113e-67e5-11e7-ab81-738041d98466.html
Shay, Miya.. “Man accused of killing 7 bikers in New Hampshire arrested in Baytown.” ABC 13 Eyewitness News, Houston, TX. 6-27-2019. Accessed 6-27-2019 at: https://abc13.com/man-accused-of-killing-7-bikers-in-crash-arrested-in-baytown/5366532/
USA Today/Joey Garrison. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019. Accessed 6-29-2019 at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/06/28/more-arrests-emerge-what-we-know-truck-driver-who-killed-7-motorcyclists-new-hampshire/1593675001/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=amp&utm_campaign=speakable
[1] Seven counts of negligent homicide.
[2] “His criminal history puts him in violation of his resident status, opening the door for ICE to have him removed to his home country.” (USA Today. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019.)
[3] According to USA Today report “Police had been dispatched after he was seen ‘revving his truck engine and jumping around outside the vehicle.’ During that arrest, Zhukovskyy made ‘suicidal comments’ and exhibited ‘extreme behavior,’ according to a report filed by East Windsor police, prompting them to send him to a Hartford hospital for treatment. He was released on a $2,500 non-surety bond.” (USA Today/Joey Garrison. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019.)
[4] According to June 29 USA Today article: “Massachusetts state officials say Connecticut failed to provide sufficient information about the May 11 arrest through the proper channels outlined in the federal commercial driver’s license system. Doing so, they say, would have automatically applied the charges to his Massachusetts driving record and result in the immediate termination of his commercial driver’s license, according to MassDOT. Connecticut instead notified Massachusetts on May 29 through the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators messaging system. That generated a notification for RMV personnel to conduct a manual review of Zhukovskyy’s record. They had not conducted it by the time of the crash, allowing him to still be licensed to drive.” (USA Today/Joey Garrison. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019.)
[5] Truck that was hauling five cars. (USA Today/Joey Garrison. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019.)
[6] USA Today/Joey Garrison. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019.
[7] USA Today/Joey Garrison. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019.
[8] Journal Inquirer (Tim Leininger), Manchester, CT. “West Springfield man charged with stealing ladders, windows from Enfield warehouse.” 7-13-2017. (Cited by USA Today, 6-29-2019.)
[9] USA Today/Joey Garrison. “Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states.” 6-29-2019.