It has been more than five years since the collision on Route 2 that killed seven motorcyclists, but the criminal repercussions continue.
The owner of the trucking company that employed driver Volodymyr Zhukovskyy was sentenced on Nov. 21 after pleading guilty to three charges of making false statements to federal investigators.
Dunyadar Gasanov, also known as Damien Gasanov, 39, was sentenced in Springfield, Mass., by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to two months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release, during which he is prohibited from driving commercially. Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of one year in prison.
Gasanov was the owner of Westfield Transport, Inc, of Springfield, Mass., when he hired Zhukovskyy as a driver despite knowing that the driver had a history of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. On his first trip for Westfield Transport on June 21, 2019, Zhukovskyy’s truck collided with a group of motorcyclists that were part of the JarHead Motorcycle Club made up of current and retired Marines. Seven motorcyclists were killed in one of the deadliest collisions in state history.
“Today’s sentencing brings a measure of accountability for the defendant’s reckless and illegal actions. By falsifying safety records and lying to investigators, this defendant put profits over public safety, with potentially devastating consequences,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, in a release issued after the sentencing.
An investigation revealed from that from May 3, 2019, to June 23, 2019, Gasanov and his brother, Dartanyan Gasanov, 35, allegedly falsified driving logs in order to evade federal regulations designed to ensure the safety of roadways and drivers. Dunyadar Gasanov instructed at least one Westfield Transport employee to falsify records, thereby exceeding the number of permissible driving hours. He then made false statements to federal inspectors regarding the manipulation of recording devices that track drivers’ on and off duty hours in order to evade regulations.
Additionally, Dunyadar Gasanov falsely stated to inspectors that he met the Zhukovskyy on the day he had hired him. In fact, Gasanov had known the driver for years prior and knew that the driver had been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol years before.
Hia brother, Dartanyan Gasanov, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
“The sentence (that was) announced today reinforces that there are real consequences for those who endanger the safety of the traveling public by flagrantly circumventing federal laws and regulations,” said Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. “We hold in our thoughts the loved ones affected by the tragedy that occurred in 2019, as we continue our work to support safety on our nation’s roads.
Zhukovskyy was acquitted of all charges related to the crash following a jury trial in 2021 and has been fighting to get his driver’s license in New Hampshire restored. His license was suspended after the June 19, 2019, fatal crash at the request of N.H. State Police.
Zhukovskyy filed to get his license back but Department of Safety Hearing Officer Ryan MacFarland suspended his license for seven years, dating back to the date of the crash. Zhukovskyy has appealed MacFarland’s ruling to the state Supreme Court.
Killed that day were members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, Albert Mazza, 59, of Lee; Michael Ferazzi, 62, of Contoocook; Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside, Rhode Island; Jo-Ann and Edward Corr, both 58, of Lakeville, Mass.; Desma Oakes, 42, of Concord; and Aaron Perry, 45, of Farmington.
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