Truck Driver Accused Of Killing 7 Motorcyclists In NH Pleads Not Guilty To All Charges

LANCASTER, NH – A truck driver accused in the deaths of seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire was found not guilty of all charges Tuesday.

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 26, faced multiple counts of negligent homicide and involuntary manslaughter in connection with a crash on Route 2 in Randolph, New Hampshire on June 21, 2019.

Jurors received the case just before noon, after more than two weeks of testimony, and quickly returned the verdict shortly before 3 p.m.

Zhukovsky could be seen pointing to the sky and breaking down in tears after all the verdicts were read.

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy Volodymyr Zhukovskyy reacts after reading all the not guilty verdicts

Prosecutors had argued that Zhukovskyy, who had taken heroin, fentanyl and cocaine that day, repeatedly swerved back and forth before the head-on crash and told police he caused it. But a judge dismissed eight counts related to whether he was impaired, and his lawyer had blamed the lead rider, Albert “Woody” Mazza, saying he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the truck while driving drunk.

“They were obviously disappointed.” Assistant Attorney General Scott Chase said outside court. “We believed, looking at the facts, that there was enough to prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Obviously, our hearts break for the families of the victims and just the community at large, but again we respect the verdict of the jury”.

The defense team did not speak to reporters after the verdict.

Earlier in the day, during closing arguments, Chase told jurors there was no doubt who caused the fatal collision.

“What happened here is not a mystery,” Chase said.

“It’s as obvious today as it was three years ago,” Chase said, “From day one, from moment one, every eyewitness, including the man in the front row seat, told you exactly what happened: who caused this crash, who was driving recklessly.”

“This is not a mystery. It’s not a whodunit,” Chase said. “We have heard many excuses; we have heard many distractions. but it is clear what happened here and who caused this accident.”

Zhukovskyy’s defense blamed the crash on Al Mazza, who was part of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club traveling that day, saying Mazza led his club to one of the worst crashes in recent memory.

“He was drunk, he wasn’t looking where he was going, he lost control of his motorcycle and slid in front of Vlad Zhukovskyy’s truck.” said defense attorney Jay Duguay. “Al Mazza caused this accident.”

“Vlad Zhukovskyy is not guilty.” Duguay said. “Al Mazza was riding his motorcycle while drunk, he wasn’t looking where he was going, he lost control of his bike and he slid into the oncoming truck.”

Prosecutors addressed the defense tactic of blaming Mazza, who was among the seven killed in the collision.

“Not one person saw Al Mazza impaired, driving off the road, but every person on that road except for Adam Bartley, three cars back, every person on that road saw the defendant everywhere,” Chase said. “He put everybody in danger.”

The riders who died were members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and were between the ages of 42 and 62. They were part of a larger group that had just left a roadside motel and were headed for an American. Legion Post in Gorham for a fundraiser.

Killed were Mazza, of Lee, New Hampshire; Edward and Jo-Ann Corr, a couple 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.

Family and friends of the seven motorcyclists who died in the 2019 collision are seen hugging outside court after the not guilty verdicts were read.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu issued a statement Tuesday, calling the verdict an “absolute tragedy.”

“The seven fallen have not received justice today, and that is an absolute tragedy,” Sununu said. “I share the shock, outrage and anger that so many have expressed in the three years since the seven members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club were taken from us. My heart goes out to their families, friends and loved ones on this particularly dark day.” .

Editor’s note: Some material from the Associated Press was used in this story.

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