Driver Who Admitted Guilt Found Not Guilty In Crash That Killed Seven Riders

[advrider]

A truck driver who was under the influence of three substances and was seen swerving on a New Hampshire road before hitting and killing seven motorcyclists on a group ride was found not guilty of manslaughter, negligent homicide and reckless conduct charges by a jury Tuesday after less than three hours of deliberation, according to the Associated Press.

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 26, of Massachusetts, had been held in jail since the June 21, 2019, crash that took the lives of  members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club. “It doesn’t make much sense, there are seven people dead. There are seven families affected. It’s strange that he didn’t get something,” Albert Mazza told the AP. His son, Albert Jr., also known as Woody, was the first to be struck. Zhukovskyy was found to have taken heroin, cocaine and fentanyl before the crash and was reportedly weaving on the road ahead of the impact. Zhukovskyy, who did not testify, told police officers at the scene “Obviously, I caused the crash,” according to the AP.

Zhukovskyy had been reported to Massachusetts authorities by Connecticut officials following a drunk driving arrest there two months before the crash. State officials should have pulled his commercial driver’s license but a backlog of cases meant Zhukovskyy’s license was still in effect at the time of the crash. The case has spotlighted license revocation case backlogs in multiple states.

Family members of the riders were understandably mystified and angered at the outcome. However, Zhukovskyy’s defense attorney, Jay Duguay, reportedly pointed out witnesses’ conflicting statements and also argued that evidence from the crash site showed that lead rider Mazza was intoxicated and lost control of his motorcycle, sliding into the path of Zhukovskyy’s truck before the other riders were struck. Zhukovskyy was not injured. Still, the outcome of the trial was surprising to some following the trial, following Zhukovskyy’s admission of guilt at the scene. “He was crystal clear from the very beginning that he caused this crash,” prosecutor Scott Chase said. “That is what he said, because that is what happened.”

“Our family expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragedy,” Zhukovskyy’s family said in a statement. “Our son and brother are very honest and kind man. He would never have done anything to hurt anyone.”

The deceased included Albert Mazza Jr., of Lee, New Hampshire; Edward and Jo-Ann Corr, both from Lakeville, Massachusetts; Michael Ferazzi, of Contoocook, New Hampshire; Desma Oakes, of Concord, New Hampshire; Daniel Pereira, of Riverside, Rhode Island; and Aaron Perry, of Farmington, New Hampshire.

Zhukovskyy is from the Ukraine, and remains in custody on an immigration hold placed on him after the crash. ICE officials have 48 hours to detain him, according to the AP.

 

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