Owner of trucking co. in crash that killed 7 motorcyclists pleads guilty to falsifying log books

The co-owner of defunct trucking company Westfield Transport, Inc. pleaded guilty to federal charges related to falsifying driver records.

Massachusetts-based Westfield Transport co-owner Dunyadar Gasanov pleaded guilty on August 13 to three counts of making false statements to federal investigators, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

On June 21, 2019, Westfield Transport driver Volodymyr Zhukovskyy was operating a pickup when he struck and killed seven motorcyclists in Randolph, New Hampshire. In 2022, a jury acquitted Zhukovskyy on all counts, including seven counts of manslaughter, seven counts of negligent homicide, and one count of reckless conduct.

Westfield Transport shuttered soon after the fatal crash.

Authorities say that from May 3, 2019 to June 23, 2019, Dunyadar Gasanov and, allegedly, co-defendant Dartanayan Gasanov “falsified driving logs in order to evade federal regulations designed to ensure the safety of roadways and drivers.”

Dunyadar Gasanov also admitted to instructing at least one Westfield Transport employee to falsify records, thereby exceeding the number of permissible driving hours, and then made a false statement to a federal inspector regarding the manipulation of recording devices that track drivers’ on and off duty hours in order to evade regulations.

“Dunyadar Gasanov also admitted that he falsely stated to inspectors that he met a driver for Westfield Transport, who was involved in a crash in New Hampshire that resulted in the death of seven motorcyclists, on the day he hired him. In fact, Dunyadar Gasanov had known the driver for years prior and knew that the driver had been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol years before,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

“Today’s guilty plea is a somber reminder of the lives lost on June 21, 2019, and the devastating impact this tragic accident had on loved ones and the community,” said Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. “Together with our prosecutorial partners, we will engage the full force of our collective resources to pursue companies and individuals who intentionally ignore federal regulations and, in so do doing, compromise the safety of the traveling public on our Nation’s roadways.”

“Keeping communities safe takes all forms. In this case, it is about making sure that operators of commercial vehicles adhere to all required safety procedures and regulations. We will not forget the lives in June 2019 that relates to this conviction. This defendant flouted those laws that are critical to public safety, and he jeopardized everyone on the road, with tragic consequences here,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

Dartanayan Gasanov has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.