Posted on 08/10/2022 2:33:44 PM PDT by algore
The drugged-out truck driver who crossed the center line of a northern New Hampshire road, killing seven people on motorcycles, was found not guilty by a jury - a verdict that sparked 'shock' 'outrage' and 'anger' by the state's governor.
Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 26, a Ukrainian national who now faces deportation, was acquitted on Tuesday by a jury of seven counts of negligent homicide and reckless conduct after less than three hours of deliberation following a two-week trial.
The grateful and relieved truck driver wiped away tears, kissed his finger and pointed to the sky after he was cleared.
He's been in jail since the June 21, 2019, crash in Randolph, New Hampshire, that killed seven members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, including six who were former Marine Corps soldiers.
The verdict prompted outrage by the survivors of the crash, the families of the dead bikers and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.
'The Fallen Seven did not receive justice today, and that is an absolute tragedy,' the Republican governor tweeted. '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.'
The father of the Albert 'Woody' Mazza Jr, 49, who was first in the convoy of bikers on the day of the crash, said he was in disbelief over the jury's decision.
Prosecutors argued that Zhukovskyy - who had taken heroin, fentanyl and cocaine earlier on the day of the crash - repeatedly swerved back and forth before the collision and told police he caused it.
Federal crash investigators found that the truck driver was impaired by drugs and had swerved into the oncoming motorcycle convoy.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
“In the article, it looks like the defense said one of the Marine Bikers was in the other lane, and highlighted inconsistencies in the survivors accounts to make a gullible jury think there was enough to let him off.”
Can you say a biker wasn’t in the other lane?
As a rider all I can say is I’m pretty sure these people were not hot doggers and when on a bike on two lane roads, cars are bad about crossing the center line.
A salient point here is that the man who creamed these people should not have been here - there should have been no opportunity for this to happen. If he had been deported when he should have been these people would be alive.
Bartley did not take the stand until close to 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Bartley was driving on Route 2 in Gorham the day of the crash and testified he drove behind Zhukovskyy’s truck and trailer.
Bartley did not notice Zhukovskyy’s truck weaving, crossing any travel lane lines, or swerving as they both drove on Route 2. Bartley said many cars were passing Zhukovskyy’s truck.
“The father of the Albert ‘Woody’ Mazza Jr, 49, who was first in the convoy of bikers on the day of the crash, said he was in disbelief over the jury’s decision.”
Mazza tested 0.135 bac.
“Marine MC.”
Should know better to ride while drunk.
Send his ass home to the Ukraine and let Zelenskyy put his ass on the front lines. Give him something to be really grateful for.
Sounds like a female dominated jury.
“In the article, it looks like the defense said one of the Marine Bikers was in the other lane, and highlighted inconsistencies in the survivors accounts to make a gullible jury think there was enough to let him off.”
Not gullible to believe the bikers’ lies like Mazza had only one beer when the evidence showed he tests 0.135 bac.
One witness said he was looking backwards at the others when he crossed the yellow line.
Prosecution said truck driver was weaving all over the road prior but driver following the truck said they saw no swerving or weaving.
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99685
One of the interesting things from the report:
“The per se illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in New Hampshire is 0.08 grams/deciliter (g/dL). One of the riders who died—position 1 in the formation—had a BAC of 0.135 g/dL. “
The rider in position 1 was legally drunk.
Yep. From the NTSB report:
The per se illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in New Hampshire is 0.08 grams/deciliter (g/dL). One
of the riders who died—position 1 in the formation—had a BAC of 0.135 g/dL.
“Somewhere between ‘Live Free or Die’ and ‘Famous Potatoes’ the truth lies.” - George Carlin
NTSB report:
The per se illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in New Hampshire is 0.08 grams/deciliter (g/dL). One of the riders who died—position 1 in the formation—had a BAC of 0.135 g/dL.
(April 2021)
A defense motion filed last year said state police initially determined that Zhukovskyy’s flatbed trailer was 1 1/2 feet over the center line at the time of impact. But it added that the state disclosed a report from an independent accident reconstruction firm that challenged that assessment. The report said one of the motorcycles “was in fact protruding over onto the center line when it struck the truck,” according to the motion.
I’d prefer them to ride motorcycles while drunk than to drive a 6000lb SUV while drunk.
Far easier to clean up the mess and much less chance of killing someone else.
“I’d prefer them to ride motorcycles while drunk than to drive a 6000lb SUV while drunk.”
I was looking at it from a biker’s viewpoint. More than once I got drunk and always left my bike at the bar to be picked up the next day.
Anyone that rides with a 0.135 bac is asking for trouble. And it was already considered a dangerous stretch of road.
p
“One
of the riders who died—position 1 in the formation—had a BAC of 0.135 g/dL.”
That was the lead biker who crossed the yellow line hitting the truck.
“As a rider all I can say is I’m pretty sure these people were not hot doggers and when on a bike on two lane roads, cars are bad about crossing the center line.”
LOL! Lead biker was drunk (0.135 bac) and looking backwards when he crossed the double-yellow line hitting the truck causing the left front tire to blow.
Unless you hear ALL the evidence it is not wise to judge.
'Course sometimes it doesn't matter - the O.J.Simpson case for example.
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