By Scott J. Croteau | scroteau@masslive.com
The Massachusetts driver now facing negligent homicide charges in the deadly New Hampshire crash that left seven motorcycle riders dead had his driver’s license in Massachusetts suspended Monday, according to Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle records.
But records show this isn’t the first time Volodymyr Zhukovskyy’s license has been suspended.
Zhukovskyy, 23, was arrested on a fugitive from justice charge by Massachusetts State Police troopers at his home located at 90 Newbridge St. in West Springfield Monday.
The arrest came after New Hampshire authorities obtained an arrest warrant charging Zhukovskyy with seven counts of negligent homicide in connection with the Friday crash in Randolph, New Hampshire.
This is the second time Zhukovskyy had his license suspended after he was deemed an “immediate threat”, records show.
State RMV records show Zhukovskyy has a Class A license in Massachusetts, which is a commercial driver’s license. Records show his earliest license in Massachusetts was issued on April 25, 2013, which appears to be a regular driver’s license, not one for commercial vehicles.
Zhukovskyy’s Class A license was issued on Aug. 3, 2018, and expires in 2021.
That license was suspended Monday as authorities deemed Zhukovskyy an “immediate threat.”
Zhukovskyy has several license suspensions listed on his record for drunken driving, accidents and what is known as a National Driver Register violation.
State RMV records show Zhukovskyy had his license suspended after he was arrested in June 2013 on a drunken driving charge in Westfield. The state suspended his license after deeming him an “immediate threat.”
The Westfield News reported that in 2014 Zhukovskyy was placed on probation for one year and had his license suspended for 210 days in 2014 for that arrest.
The suspension lasted from June 2013 to December 2016, according to RMV records. Another notation shows Zhukovskyy had a “youth alcohol program suspension” and his license wasn’t actually reinstated until May 2017.
Records also show Zhukovskyy had to complete to National Safety Council driving courses in 2015 and 2016.
Court records in Connecticut also show Zhukovskyy was arrested last month on a drunken driving charge.
Zhukovskyy was arrested by East Windsor police on Prospect Road on May 11 at 10:15 a.m. He was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol.
He was released from custody after posting $2,500 bail. His arraignment was scheduled for May 20, but the hearing was postponed because his lawyer had a scheduling conflict.
Zhukovskyy is scheduled for arraignment in Connecticut on Wednesday in Enfield Superior Court, but it unclear if he will appear based on the newest New Hampshire charges.
Zhukovskyy lists his occupation as a truck driver in court records. He also lists the same occupation in an arrest report from Baytown, Texas where Zhukovskyy was arrested on Feb. 11 for possession of a crack pipe, police there confirmed.
When Massachusetts State Police troopers arrested Zhukovskyy on Monday they “located in the defendant’s residence wax packets containing a residue suspected of being heroin,” authorities said.
The residue is being tested and if it tests positive for drugs, Zhukovskyy will face more charges, state police said.
Zhukovskyy, who works for Westfield Transport in Springfield, was driving a black 2016 Dodge 2500 pickup truck with an attached trailer designed for carrying cars at the time of the crash.
Federal records show Westfield Transport has a history of driving violations.
He was traveling west and the motorcyclists were traveling east on Route 2 Friday night.
A husband and wife from Massachusetts were among those killed in the crash.
Jo-Ann and Edward Corr, both 58, of Lakeville, who were riding together on one bike. They were part of a group of motorcycle riders from the Jarheads MC, a motorcycle club made up of U.S. Marine Corps veterans and their spouses.
Two people from Massachusetts were also injured in the crash, but they are expected to live.
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