A man who has been arrested for his role in the death of seven members of a motorcycle club in rural New Hampshire over the weekend has been labeled as a “truck driver” and even as a “trucker,” but the truth is a little more complicated.
On Friday, June 21, seven members of the Marine JarHeads motorcycle club were killed in a crash on a two lane highway in the town of Randolph, New Hampshire.
Seven motorcyclists aged 42 to 62 lost their lives in the crash.
Seven riders in a motorcycle club comprised of active and veteran Marines were killed in a collision with a pickup truck in Randolph, N.H., Friday night. https://t.co/dJqQj6lSqC
— NPR (@NPR) June 23, 2019
The driver who reportedly caused the crash, 23 year old Volodoymyr Zhukovskyy, was arrested at his home in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Monday, June 24. According to WGNTV, he was charged with seven counts of negligent homicide.
During Zhukovskyy’s arrest, troopers discovered wax packets that they believe contain heroin, but no drug-related charges have been issued at this time.
In the days following the tragic crash, media outlets have repeatedly referred to Zhukovskyy as a “truck driver” or even as a “trucker”.
A truck driver was charged with negligent homicide in collision that killed a group of motorcyclists on a New Hampshire highway. https://t.co/bV0nIRB3LZ
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 24, 2019
Multiple news outlets confirm that he was driving a 2016 Dodge 2500 pickup truck hauling a trailer designed to haul cars — not a semi truck — at the time of the crash.
Zhukovskyy is, however, employed by Springfield, Massachusetts based transportation company Westfield Transport.
Following the crash, Coos County Attorney John McCormick vowed to investigate Westfield Transport.
According to FMCSA data, Westfield Transport operates five power units and hauls general freight and and motor vehicles. Records show that the small company has several violations, including two for driver amphetamine possession, in the past two years.
Zhukovskyy was charged with DUI on May 11 in Connecticut, but his legal team denies that he was intoxicated. He was also arrested for DUI in 2013.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation by multiple agencies.