RANDOLPH, N.H. (AP) — A jury acquitted truck driver Volodymyr Zhukovskyy on Tuesday of all charges related to a June 21, 2019, accident that killed seven motorcyclists.
The jury returned the verdict after deliberating for less than three hours following a two-week trial. Zhukovskyy, 26, was found not guilty of 15 counts including manslaughter and negligent homicide.
Prosecutors argued that Zhukovskyy was under the influence of drugs, including heroin and fentanyl, during the crash, which occurred when he allegedly veered into oncoming traffic on U.S. Route 2. A judge dismissed eight related charges of impairment.
Zhukovskyy’s defense blamed the lead motorcyclist, Albert “Woody” Mazza Jr., asserting that he was intoxicated and lost control of his motorcycle. After the verdict, Zhukovskyy appeared emotional and raised a finger in gratitude.
All seven deceased motorcyclists were members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, ranging in age from 42 to 62. Victims hailed from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Authorities confirmed that Zhukovskyy remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon due to an immigration detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, following the accident.
The investigation into the licensing issues surrounding Zhukovskyy, whose commercial license should have been revoked prior to the crash, highlighted flaws in states’ processing of license revocations.
Related stories and updates are available as the community processes the aftermath of the tragic incident.