Seven victims honored in Ride for the Fallen; Motorcyclists ride for group killed in NH
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey will investigate the trucking company whose driver allegedly crashed into a group of motorcyclists in New Hampshire last month, killing seven.
“We have opened an investigation into Westfield Transport over its role in the tragic crash in New Hampshire,” a spokesperson for the attorney general said Tuesday.
Westfield Trucking Inc. has been under scrutiny following the June 21 crash after it emerged that it had hired Volodymyr Zhukovskyy -- who faces charges multiple counts of negligent homicide for his alleged involvement in the incident -- despite previous driving violations.
Zhukovskyy, 23, has pleaded not guilty to the negligent homicide charges.
In 2013, Zhukovskyy was arrested on OUI charges in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Last month, he was arrested on OUI charges again, this time in Connecticut, which officials say should have triggered a suspension of his license.
The owner of the trucking company, Damien Gasanov, told NBC 10 Boston at the time that he had hired Zhukovskyy just three days before the crash. He also said he would cooperate with an investigation.
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An unknown man answered a phone call from The Associated Press placed to Westfield Transport. He said the company does not exist anymore.
Westfield Trucking Inc., based in West Springfield, has a history of failed inspections, according to the Department of Transportation. In the past 24 months, its drivers failed 22 percent of their inspections, well over the national average of about six percent.
The company has faced over 60 violations in the past 24 months, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data. Last year, two Westfield Transport drivers were caught with narcotic drugs.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
