Hide Transcript Show Transcript

BAGNI, HE’S LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD WHERE THAT SUSPECT FACED A JUDGE THIS AFTERNOON. ADAM: THIS DRIVER DID NOT FACE ANY OF THOSE HOMICIDE CHARGES TODAY. NONE OF THAT HAPPENED TODAY. THAT’LL HAPPEN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. BUT WE DID LEARN THAT JUST OR A -- JUST OVER A MONTH BEFORE THE CRASH HE WAS ARRESTED FOR , ALLEGEDLY DRIVING DRUNK, IN CONNECTICUT. >> DO WISH TO WAIVE YOUR RIGHTS AND RETURNED TO THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE? >> YES. ADAM: VOLODOYMYR ZHUKOVSKYY SAYING LITTLE DURING HIS BRIEF APPEARANCE IN A SPRINGFIELD COURT THIS AFTERNOON. THE 23-YEAR-OLD SENT BACK TO NEW HAMPSHIRE WITHOUT ARGUMENT. HE WILL FACE 7 COUNTS OF NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE, FOLLOWING A CRASH FRIDAY THAT KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE FROM A VETERANS MOTORCYCLE GROUP. HIS ATTORNEY TODAY ASKING THE PUBLIC TO WITHHOLD JUDGEMENT, SAYING HIS FAMILY IS HURTING TOO. >> IT IS TRAGIC FOR THE FAMILIES INVOLVED. IT’S TRAGIC FOR THE VICTIMS IN THIS. AND IT’S TRAGIC FOR HIS FAMILY TOO. AND I’M NOT TRYING TO EQUATE THAT THEY’RE ALL THE SAME. I’M MAKING NO SUCH SUGGESTIO ADAM: COURT RECORDS SHOW THAT VOLODOYMYR ZHUKOVSKYY HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON THE ROAD BEFORE. A 2013 OUI IN WESTFIELD, WAS CONTINUED WITHOUT A FINDING. AND HE WAS DUE IN COURT WEDNESDAY, FOR A CONNECTICUT OUJUST OVER A MONTH BEFORE THE CRASH. NOT TO MENTION MULTIPLE SURCHARGEABLE ACCIDENTS AND OTHER DRIVING INFRACTIONS. >> DID HE SAY ANYTHING TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED? >> IF HE DID, WOULD I TALK ABOUT IT NOW? ADAM: OFFICIALS SAY THAT VOLODOYMYR ZHUKOVSKYY WAS ARRESTED BY STATE POLICE TODAY AT AROUND 8:00 A.M., AT HIS HOME IN WEST SPRINGFIELD THIS MORNING. OFFICIALS SAY THEY FOUND A SMALL AMOUNT OF ALLEGED HEROIN, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE TESTED AND NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED. >> I’M HOPING THAT EVERYONE WOULD BE RESPECTFUL TOWARDS THE PEOPLE THAT DIED IN THIS CASE. ADAM: I DID SPEAK BRIEFLY TO THE DEFENDANT’S MOTHER AND SISTER. THEY DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK ON CAMERA, BUT THEY TOLD US THEY -- THE DEFENDANT HASN’T SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN HIS ROOM THESE DAYS.

Advertisement Mass. man charged with negligent homicide in NH crash that killed 7 Victims were all members or supporters of Jarheads Motorcycle Club Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Massachusetts man facing negligent homicide charges in connection with a New Hampshire crash that killed seven motorcyclists has a history of driving under the influence charges and license suspensions, 5 Investigates found. Volodoymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, of West Springfield, Massachusetts, was charged with seven counts of negligent homicide. He was arrested at 8 a.m. Monday in Massachusetts on a fugitive from justice charge. He was handed over to New Hampshire officials during a brief Monday afternoon court appearance in Springfield. He will be arraigned Tuesday in Coos County Superior Court in Lancaster, New Hampshire.Troopers located wax packets containing a residue suspected of being heroin in Zhukovskyy's residence, Massachusetts State Police spokesman David Procopio said. Zhukovskyy has not been charged with a drug offense, Procopio said. The residue will be tested at the MSP lab and if positive for illegal narcotic, Zhukovskyy will face additional charges, Procopio said. Zhukovskyy was driving a 2016 Dodge 2500 with an attached trailer when he was involved in a crash with 10 motorcycles about 6:30 p.m. Friday on Route 2 in Randolph. Seven people died and three others were injured in the crash.According to RMV documents, Zhukovskyy's license has been suspended as of Monday under the state’s immediate threat clause.Zhukovskyy was charged with operating under the influence of liquor in June 2013 in Westfield, and his license was suspended at that time as well as an “immediate threat,” according to RMV records.5 Investigates found that case was continued without a finding and he was put on probation for a year and ordered to complete a driver alcohol education program. Other charges, including leaving the scene of an accident, were dropped, 5 Investigates found.Since 2012, Zhukovskyy has had two surchargeable accidents and was cited in March 2019 for an improper lane change in Iowa, 5 Investigates found.According to court records, Zhukovskyy was arrested in East Windsor, Connecticut, on the morning of May 11 and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, 5 Investigates found. Zhukovskyy posted bail, was released and was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.Zhukovskyy, who was the only occupant of the truck, is an employee of Westfield Transport Inc. of Massachusetts, officials said.Zhukovskyy, when reached by phone over the weekend before his arrest in Massachusetts, told WMUR, "It was a big tragedy. I'm trying to process this with my family. I'm feeling shocked It happened so fast. I am cooperating with police. I feel mentally hurt."The owner of the trucking company said "no comment" when asked by 5 Investigates about the crash. All seven of those killed were on motorcycles, and they were all members or supporters of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, which is made up of Marine veterans.The victims were identified as: Michael Ferazzi, 62, of ContoocookAlbert Mazza, 59, of LeeDesma Oakes, 42, of ConcordAaron Perry, 45, of Farmington Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside, Rhode IslandJo-Ann and Edward Corr, both 58, of Lakeville, MassachusettsThree others were injured in the crash. Two of them were later released from the hospital, and the third, 45-year-old Joshua Morin of Dalton, Massachusetts, is at Maine Medical Center. Morin is listed in stable condition.Gov. Chris Sununu directed flags to fly at half-staff on Monday in honor of the victims.