A pickup driver's impairment by drugs was the probable cause of truck/motorcycle accident resulting in multiple rider fatalities. The June 2019 tragedy occurred when a pickup crashed into a group of 18 riders from the Jarhead Motorcycle Club. The tragedy near the small town of Randolph, NH resulted in the deaths of seven riders.
The pickup driven by Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 24, of West Springfield, Mass., crossed the yellow line of a rural highway and plowed into the group of riders. The December 2020, National Transportation Safety Board report revealed that Zhukovskyy had cocaine and fentanyl in his system and this was the probable cause of the catastrophe. Prior to the accident, Zhukovskyy had a history of drug and DUI related crashes in Texas and Ohio.
He has been charged with reckless manslaughter, negligent homicide and negligent homicide/DUI, and single felony counts of aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and reckless conduct. He pleaded not guilty.
A report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed multiple violations of federal regulations by Zhukvoskyy's employer.
