Supporting Affidavit For Arrest Warrant in State v. Volodymyr Zhukovskyy
Supporting Affidavit For Arrest Warrant in State v. Volodymyr Zhukovskyy
Supporting Affidavit For Arrest Warrant in State v. Volodymyr Zhukovskyy
I, Trooper Brandon M. Girardi being duly sworn, do depose and state the following:
0n June 21, 2019 at approximately 1829 hours, the New Hampshire State Police Troop F received a
report of a serious motor vehicle collision which occurred on Route 2 in the Town of Randolph, NH.
The collision reportedly involved a pickup truck which had collided with several motorcycles. Multiple
inj uries were reported.
3. Trooper Neil Chapdelaine responded to the scene. Upon his arrival, Tr. Chapdelaine obgve¢
.‘
.-.
I‘
Vehicle l: n
SZf?
r z
w.rm,.
.
L42
Trailer l:
borb
2015 Quality Trailer W!
1i
Bearing MA Reg: D37112
Operated by:
Volodymyr ZHUKOVSKYY
90 New Bridge Street
W. Springfield, MA 01089
DOB: 12f21/1995
Vehicle 1 and Trailer 1 had come to a final uncontrolled rest ofl‘ of the eastbound side of the roadway
facing in a westerly direction. At that time, Vehicle 1 was fully engulfed in flames. Tr. Chapdelaine
observed multiple motorcycles, motorcyclists and debris in the roadway. Based upon the initial at-scene
investigation, it was determined that there were seven (7) fatalities and multiple injuries.
The at-scene investigation revealed that Vehicle l and Trailer 1 had been traveling west on U.S.
Highway 2, in the Town of Randolph, NH when it reportedly crossed over the solid double yellow
center line. Simultaneously a group of fifleen (15) motorcycles were traveling east on U.S. Highway 2.
Vehicle 1 and/or Trailer l collided with several motorcycles in that group and/or inadvertently caused
damage to the following:
4. Due to the multiple fatalities and number of vehicles involved, the New Hampshire State Police
Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (CAR) Unit was requested to respond to the scene and task and
assignments were assigned by:
. On June 21“,2019 at approximately 21 :54 hours, Sergeant Michael Cote and Trooper Derek Newcomb
conducted an interview of Volodymyr Zhukovskyy at the Lancaster Police Department. Mr.
Zhukovskyy stated the following during an interview: That while operating his vehicle he diverted his
attention from the road and oncoming traffic, when he reached downward and attempted to retrieve an
object from the bottom area of the center console of his vehicle. Mr. Zhukovskyy stated that while his
attention was diverted from the road, his vehicle crossed lefiwards into the lane of oncoming traffic,
. On June 22, 2019 at approximately 1831 hours NH State Police interviewed Stephen Piwowarski (DOB:
10-20-1985) via telephone in reference to the fatal crash on Route 2 in Randolph, NH. Stephen was
identified through the course of the investigation as a possible witness to the fatal motor vehicle
accident. Stephen told investigators hewas traveling with his wife Annie Baron from their residence in
Maine Io a wedding in Vermont. Stephen said they were traveling west on Route 2 in Gorham headed
into Randolph NH. Stephen said it was in an area known as Gorham Hill in the Town of Gorham NH
that he first observed a black pick-up truck towing a trailer also traveling west on Route 2 in front of
him. Stephen said as he entered the two lane area for westbound uaffic he noticed the truck and trailer
weaving and traveling to the right shoulder of the westbound lane. Stephen said he remembered seeing
dust being kicked up whenge truck and trailer went over the shoulder and onto or near the sofi shoulder
area. Stephen said the driver corrected this action. Stephen said the truck and trailer traveled into east
bound lane of the road on two separate occasions before the crash. Stephen said the truck traveled over
the double solid yellow line and the truck and trailer were about 1A of the way over the double solid
yellow line into the east bound lane. Stephen said he told his wife the driver of the truck was driving
erratically and he was going to slow down to create more space between the two vehicles. Stephen said
at the time of the crash he was approximately 1 '/z -2 tractor trailer lengths behind the truck and trailer.
Stephen said as the truck and trailer continued westbound the truck and trailer traveled over the double
solid yellow line by about 3 feet and into the eastbound lane. Stephen said the truck and trailer plowed
into the motorcycles traveling eastbound on Route 2 and the truck and trailer continued to travel across
the eastbound lane and beyond the shoulder and lefi the roadway traveling into the woods. The truck and
trailer came to rest on the south side of Route 2, with the front of the truck resting just shy of the woods
7. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police investigators spoke with Annie Baron who stated that she was seated
behind her husband tending to their child. Annie said she was able to see the black truck swerving and
that she observed it on two separate occasions. Annie recalled that
traveling over the double yellow line
while traveling behind the truck over a period of time prior to the crash, her husband commented about
the erratic driving of the vehicle and how Stephen wanted to create distance from the truck and trailer.
Annie was asked how far over the double solid yellow line the vehicle went and she estimated that the
first time 50% of the truck was over the double solid yellow line and the second time she estimated
about 75% of the vehicle was over the double yellow solid line. The aforementioned observations were
made prior to the crash while Annie and Stephen were traveling west on US Route 2. Annie stated that
her attention turned back to her child and at the time of the crash, she felt her car come to an abrupt stop.
Annie said that she saw all the motorcycles on the ground afler the collision.
8. 0n June 23, 2019, the NH State Police interviewed Corinne Jennings (DOB: 01/03/1962). Jennings said
that she lefi a location in Gorham and turned west onto Route Jennings recalls a red car pass by her
2.
yellow lines. Jennings said her speed was approximately 50 mph and that the truck and trailer is about 5
truck length in front of her. Jennings didn’t observe the truck once they passed the area where the two
lanes merge into a single lane. Jennings next describes seeing the truck and trailer plow into the bikers
and blow up. The truck and trailer continues across the road hitting more bikers and going up the bank.
Jennings said she didn’t see the truck or trailer apply the brakes at all. Jennings said Piwowarski
slowed, she drove around them and came to a stop. Jennings said that she called 911 at this time.
9. On June 22, 2019 NH Manuel Ribeiro (DOB: 7/28/1970 (AKA: Rib) and
State Police interviewed
Valerie Ribeiro (DOB: The Ribeiros were second in line behind and to the right of Woody
8/29/1971).
(Mazza).The Ribeiros stated they did not see the truck but heard the explosion. Manuel indicated his
motorcycle was pushed to the right (by either by Woody or Woody’s motorcycle) but Manuel was able
to regain control of the motorcycle and steer to the right side where eventually Manuel Ribeiro’s
motorcycle crashed causing damage to the motorcycle. Both Manuel and Valerie Ribeiro said that they
observed the carnage and debris and at that point attempted to render aid to those that were wounded.
10. NH State Police interviewed Sean Moynahan (DOB: 9/13/1990 - AKA Barkeep). Sean stated he was a
passenger in a vehicle and was in the company of Mary (Woody’s common law wife) and Joy (Morin’s
wife). Sean told investigators that he saw the Dodge pickup truck crest the hill and cross the yellow
double line then strike a motorcycle. Sean got out of the car and ran to render assistance,
Sean said he saw the operator of the Dodge pick-up truck (a white male, 5’06”-5’08” tall) take a
that
backpack out of the truck and jog away from the truck. Sean stated he saw that Woody was dead and
that Sean “scooped up” Woody’s “brain matter from the road and placed it under a towel closer to
Woody”. Sean said he saw another club member was deceased and on fire and Sean said he attempted to
put the fire out.
ll. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed David Bark (DOB 11/14/1967 - AKA Hardcharger).
David said he was riding fourth in line and his motorcycle was only in the third gear and that he was
travelling approximately 35-40 MPH. David said that afier the group of motorcycles exited the Mount
Jefferson View Motel and Cabins location, he observed thatWoody was riding as the lead motorcycle of
the group. David stated that as the vehicles began travelling down Route 2 in an eastbound direction,
Woody turned and looked backwards toward David and the rest of the motorcycles riding behind him,
and then proceeded to face forward and continuing driving as the lead motorcycle in the group. Shonly
thereafier, David observed a Dodge pickup truck travelling in the opposing and incoming westbound
lane. As the truck approached the group of motorcycles, David observed that the lefi front tire of the
truck was on the double yellow lines. David then saw the truck strike Woody “dead on.” David then said
from Woody’s motorcycle, or a piece of the
that in the ensuing collision, either the entire windshield
windshield from Woody’s motorcycle, became detached and flew in David’s direction, causing David to
swerve and lose control of his motorcycle.
12. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed Tad Duane (DOB: 12/02/1958 - AKA Tracker). Tad was
operating the motorcycle and Tad’s wife Deb was his passenger. Tad said that he allowed several of the
members to travel in front of him and Tad indicated that he and Deb were second to last in the group and
Tad said since he was in the back of the group he was only able to get his bike into second or third gear.
Tad said he saw the Dodge truck cross the yellow line and drive into the group of motorcycles which
caused an explosion. Tad indicated he called 91 l. Tad said the operator of the Dodge truck removed a
cellphone and Tad felt the Operator of the truck intended to flee. Tad described to investigators the fire
and the carnage that he witnessed, he also described the fact he saw people performing CPR on the
bodies that were on the ground.
l3. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed Doug Hayward (DOB: 12/13/1972 - AKA Nub). Doug
stated he was of the group and he heard an explosion and saw fire. Doug said he was
riding in the rear
able to drive through the debris and stopped and rendered first aid.
l4. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed William Hooker (DOB: 9/08/1948 - AKA Hooker).
William stated a Dodge truck was traveling lefl of the center line. William said he saw an explosion and
the explosion caused debris to travel over William’s head.
15. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed Michael McEachem (DOB: 12/17/1975 - AKA Big Mac)
and Sarah McEachern (DOB: 8/14/1976). The McEachems were the last vehicle and Michael’s job was
to stop traffic for the group of motorcycles to exit the parking lot and get onto Route 2. Michael stated
he saw the Dodge truck travel lefi of the center line and “plow through the group”. Michael said the
truck (as well as trailer with the truck) collided with motorcycles as well as people. Michael said he saw
multiple people that were on fire and he attempted to put out the flames. Michael said the operator of the
truck spoke “broken English” but said he lost control of the trailer.
l6. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed Steven Lewis “Big Lou” (DOB: 07-05-1961). Steven
said he never got his motorcycle out of third gear due to the fact the group had just pulled out of the
parking lot on to Route 2 from their motel. Steven said the group was riding staggered and Steven was
riding on lefi side of the lane (closest to centerline). Steven said he believes he was struck by the trailer.
Steven said “Mighty Mouse (Dawn Brindley) was riding behind Steven.
l7. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed Dawn Brindley (DOB: 07/18/1966 — AKA Mighty
Mouse). Dawn indicated the group was riding staggered and Dawn said she was on right side of road
(closest to fog line). Dawn said she had to lay her bike out on its lefi side to avoid the collision.
18. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed Dana Thompson (DOB: 03-26-1965). Dana said “Big
Mac” (Michael Mceachem) was blocking trafi'xc so the group could get onto Route 2 from the motel.
Dana said he heard the crash prior to seeing the carnage. Dana said he saw the trailer hitting the rider in
front of him.
19. On June 22, 2019 NH State Police interviewed Patricia Sweeney (DOB: 08-15-1949). Patricia was
riding on the back of William Hooker’s motorcycle and she stated she did not see the crash but that
William “turned hard to the right” and Patn'cia and William went into the ditch to avoid the carnage.
20. On June 22, 2019NH State Police interviewed Drenda Hayward (DOB: 12-29-1970). Drenda said she
was on the rear of her husband’s motorcycle (Douglas Hayward) and they were traveling near the
riding
middle/rear of the group (closet to the fog line). Drenda said Douglas turned hard to the lefi to avoid the
carnage.
21. 0n June 23, 2019 at NH State Police interviewed Paul Ingersoll (DOB 06-12-1971) Ingersoll
1232 hours
is a Fire Fighter for the Littleton, NH Fire Department. Ingersoll advised that he and two other members
of the Depanment were responding to a call for service on Interstate 93 in the town of Littleton on June
let 2019 at approximately 1630 hours. While in the fire truck, they were in a “crossover” turn-around
on the Interstate just south of the Vermont border, waiting for a break in traffic so they could pull back
out on the Interstate and travel south. Ingersoll advised he observed a black Dodge Ram pickup truck
pulling a large gooseneck trailer with a white car on the trailer. Ingersoll noted this vehicle to be
traveling at a visually high rate of speed, passing other cars. He then noted that the Black Dodge Ram
began drifiing over and thought that the Dodge Ram could possibly strike their Fire Truck in the
crossover.
22. On June 23, 2019 at 1240 hours NH State Police interviewed Thomas Hartwell (DOB 04-14-1988)
Hartwell is a Fire Fighter for the Littleton, NH Fire Department. Hartwell advised that he and two other
members of the Department were responding to a call for service on Interstate 93 in the town of Littleton
on June 2lst 2019 at approximately 1630 hours. While in the fire truck, they were in a “crossover” tum-
around on the Interstate just south of the Vermont border, waiting for a break in trafiic so they could pull
back out on the Interstate and travel south. Hartwell advised that he witnessed a black Dodge Ram
pickup truck pulling a trailer which he describes to be “larger than it should have been” for that type of
truck. Hartwell describes seeing a white sedan on the car trailer. Hartwell sees the truck drifi from the
right travel lane to the lefi passing lane into the lefi breakdown lane. He advised the truck seemed to not
be in control because it went into lefi breakdown lane shoulder of the interstate.
23. On June 23, 2019 at 1337 hours NH Lawrence Coulter (DOB 04-13-1969) and
State Police interviewed
his wife Holly Coulter (DOB a Volunteer Jefferson, NH Fire Fighter. He is
12-23-1969). Lawrence is
also a FedEx driver. Lawrence Coulter advised that he was traveling eastbound on US Route 2 at
approximately 1800 hours on June 21, 2019 behind an older couple driving in a Gray Jeep Patriot type
vehicle. While driving past the Mount Jefferson View Motel, both Lawrence and Holly Coulter
observed a number of motorcycles lining up in the eastern most driveway of the motel. Lawrence said
that the lead motorcycle appeared to be waiting for a gap in traffic to pull out. As he continued driving
east, Lawrence Coulter said that he observed a Dodge 2500 or 3500 pickup truck towing an empty
trailer. Both Lawrence and Holly said that they observed the Dodge cross lefi of center traveling
approximately 1
— 1.5 feet mto their lane (eastbound travel lane). Lawrence said that he took evasive
action by braking hard and veering towards the edge of the roadway as the Dodge and trailer nearly
stuck the Jeep in front of them. Holly Coulter said that she observed the operator of the Dodge reaching
down towards his left side door as it passed by their Jeep Cherokee.
/ driver’s
Lawrence said view mirror, he observed the Dodge return back into the westbound lane.
that in his rear
When asked both Lawrence and Holly described the operator as being a male. They estimated the speed
of the Dodge as being approximately 55 MPH.
24. During the course of this investigation, Tr. Gimdi determined via inSPECTm, a computer sofiware
program utilized by the NH State Police for conducting CMV safety inspections, to run a driver records
check on Zhukovskyy. was revealed that on February 18, 2019 Volodymyr Zhukovskyy was cited in
It
the State of Iowa for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) violations: 392.2LC F D
N1CUBl902181221 1N N Improper Use of Lanes (not staying in one lane) and 390.17 F D
N1CUBl902181221 IN N Operating a CMV Using Additional Equipment that Decreases Safety. It is
noted Volodymyr Zhukovskyy claimed he was distracted or using and [Pad to talk to his boss to discuss
the scheduled load being canceled. Volodymyr Zhukovskyy admitted to driving and using an
amusement device and he was unable to stay in one lane due to using the device. It is also noted there
were multiple calls taken by dispatch regarding the reckless operation of Volodymyr Zhukovskyy.
25. Detective Sergeant McLaughlin based upon forgoing interviews completed a Motorcycle Formation
Diagram to visually represent the location of the motorcycles just prior to the collision which is attached
to this affidavit.
26. Trooper Daniel Quartulli, a fulltime member of the New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and
Reconstruction (CAR) Unit, was called to respond to this collision. Upon arriving at scene, he set about
performing a forensic mapping with his issued Sokkia Robotic Total Station. A scale diagram was
created using these mapped points for the purpose of a scene reconstruction (and is attached to this
affidavit). Using the diagram to draw some general conclusions, Trooper Quanulli noted the first visible
tire mark associated with the pickup truck appears at a position where the vehicle is already protruding
approximately 4 feet into the opposing lane. A long, sweeping tire mark in the westbound lane would
have been caused by the trailer’s brakes locking up. The distance between the truck’s tire mark and the
trailer’s tire mark is consistent with the approximate total length of the truck and trailer. It appears,
based off of fluid trails in the roadway, the lead motorcycles may have struck the driver’s side of the
trailerand were then deflected off of the eastbound shoulder. The two motorcycles which came to rest in
front of the truck, and the one motorcycle which became lodged underneath the trailer, were struck
approximately 55 feet from where the pickup truck first crossed the center line; this is evident by heavy
gouging in the roadway. The three motorcycles which came to rest in the middle of the roadway likely
made contact with the passenger’s side of the truck/trailer, and were pushed to their point of final rest.
The tire marks caused by the truck indicate a gradual drift into the opposite lane, with no indication of
steering input in an effort to avoid a collision. The only indication of an attempt at collision avoidance
marks indicating braking. These are preliminary conclusions only, and are subject
are the tire to change
once a thorough analysis of the scene additional evidence can be performed.
27. Based on the foregoing, there is probable cause to believe that Volodymyr Zhukovskyy did negligently
cause the death of Albert L. Mazza, Daniel Pereira, Michael A. Ferrazi, Edward Corr, Joan Corr, Aaron
Perry, Desma Oakes by operating a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 on Route 2 in Randolph, NH which crossed the
double yellow center line,and colliding with seven (7) motorcycles which were occupied by Albert L.
Mazza, Daniel Pereira, Michael A. Ferrazi, Edward Corr, Joan Corr, Aaron Perry, Desma Oakes and
subsequently causing their deaths.
1-:
‘/
_ _'
f/ y;
[zwo/m/v" June 24,2019
Justice
And I,
of the Peace
a
3:53 ‘97“ng
-
u W
W W \
cw
y, /
.
@112 gtate nf gem flatnpzhire
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Coos COUNTY 1st Circuit Berlin District COURT
ARREST WARRANT
TO THE SHERIFF OF ANY COUNTY IN THIS STATE OR DEPUTY, OR ANY POLICE OFFICER
WITHIN THE STATE:
Of NHSP-G
intheCountyof {gag hasexhibitedtome, [Agfl B ,SHBSZQ
,
a Justice/W in the County of
W. Springfield. MA 01089 ,
in the County of
Hampden for the crime of. Negligent Homicide
(RSA 630:3 ).
WE COMMAND YOU to take the Defendant, if found to be in your precinct, and bring him before
the Coos County Superior Court.
J
.
JANET
J
.
)3
H, 1J8“!
MW
g -":
‘m
RETURN ) ;
COUNTY 0F =9 4*
)
O
.o w ;_;
lhavearrestedmeDefendantandnowhave hitherbefomflweCounasoommam.
NameofOffioer
TitleofOffioer