3,000 Bikers Pay Tribute To NH Crash Victims With 90-Mile “Ride For The Fallen 7”

Laconia, New Hampshire – Thousands of motorcyclists participated in a 90-mile ride on Saturday to honor the seven lives lost in a horrific crash in June along Route 2 in Randolph.

On June 21, 2019, Ukranian immigrant, 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, was traveling westbound along Route 2 in a 2016 Dodge pick-up truck when he collided with a group of ten bikers headed eastbound at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The crash garnered national media attention after authorities revealed the bikers were a group of former U.S. Marines and their spouses on their way to a charity event.

Zhukovskyy, who authorities now admit should not have had a driver’s license at the time due to previous arrests, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of negligent homicide for their deaths.

The Jarheads Motorcycle Club in New England organized Saturday’s “Ride For The Fallen 7” from Laconia to the crash site in Randolph as a tribute to their friends.

More than 3,000 bikers, some from as far away as California and Florida, participated.

Many motorcycles 🏍 are on the roadways in #NH today for the #RideForTheFallen7. Please obey the rules of the road, #LookTwice 👀 and #ShareTheRoad. ✅#NHSP #RideSmart pic.twitter.com/37df7TJfAk
— NHSP (@NH_StatePolice) July 6, 2019

Participants met up in Laconia on Saturday morning.

According to organizers, the bikers said a prayer and sang the Marines’ Hymn before heading out on the ride at approximately noon.

New Hampshire State Police escorted the riders along I-93 northbound to Route 2 ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Continue to expect delays on I-93 North. Many motorcycles are making their way to Randolph, NH. #Ride4Fallen7 #RideForTheFallen7 #NHSP #RideSmart #ShareTheRoad pic.twitter.com/6S4rHxSxyk
— NHSP (@NH_StatePolice) July 6, 2019

Upon arriving near the crash site a memorial service was held in a nearby field.

Members of #NHSP assisted with the #Ride4Fallen7 today as over 3,000 motorcycles took to the #NH roads.
Many will be departing from Randolph so please expect large groups of motorcycles on the roadways. 🏍#LookTwice #SlowDown #RideSmart #ShareTheRoad #RideForTheFallen7 pic.twitter.com/aPSE3GEcpX
— NHSP (@NH_StatePolice) July 6, 2019

Organizer Steve Allison told WMUR-TV that he was overwhelmed by the turnout Saturday.

“Unlike anything I ever expected, and I am humbled to my absolute core,” said Allison. “I’m actually doing my best to keep from crying, because I never would’ve expected this.”

Allison called the accident “unprecedented,” and it called for an “unprecedented memorial.”

Numerous speakers paid tribute to the deceased.

Dave Seamans of the Jarheads MC speaks to the crowd gathered in Randolph following the Ride for the Fallen 7. #Ride4Fallen7 via @SlopezWMUR pic.twitter.com/Ah1AGA9uOv
— WMUR TV (@WMUR9) July 6, 2019

Those killed in the crash were: Michael Ferazzi, 62, of Contoocook, New Hampshire; Albert Mazza Jr., 59, of Lee, New Hampshire; Desma Oakes, 42, of Concord, New Hampshire; Aaron Perry, 45, of Farmington, New Hampshire; Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside, Rhode Island; and Jo-Ann and Edward Corr, both 58, of Lakeville, Massachusetts.

First Lawsuit Filed

Last week, the first lawsuit arising from this tragic crash was filed by a survivor.

Joshua Morin, 45, of Dalton, Massachusetts suffered “fractures of the left femur, left tibia, left fibula, left knee injuries, left ankle injuries, surgery, open wounds, lacerations, contusions and abrasions,” according to the suit he filed in Hampden County Superior Court.

The civil suit names Zhukovskyy and Westfield Transport, Inc. of West Springfield, MA, as defendants.

The lawusit alleges Zhukovskyy “caused” his pickup truck to cross the yellow line and collide with the motorcycles of Joshua Morin and others, “causing the death of seven motorcyclists and causing great bodily injury to [Morin].”

Further, the suit contends Westfield Transport “should have known through a background check, interview and/or news accounts that [Zhukovskyy] posed a danger to others while driving.”

Morin is asking for $452,300 in damages.