'I need to go to sleep': Video shows prior arrest of suspect in crash that killed 7 motorcyclists
Police in Texas released video Thursday of a prior arrest of the pickup truck driver charged with negligent homicide in the deaths of seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire last week.
The video shows a February 11 encounter between Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, and police in Baytown, Texas, responding to a call of a disorderly customer at a Denny's restaurant. In the video, Zhukovsky is in constant motion and the officers ask him what drugs he has taken. He denies taking any drugs.
“I’m sorry guys. I’m just tired," Zhukovskyy says. "I need to go to sleep."
One of the officers asks to search him, finding what the officer identifies as a crack pipe. Zhukovskyy was arrested and charged with possessing drug paraphernalia.
Four months later, on June 3, Zhukovsky was driving a truck hauling five cars on Interstate 10 in Baytown when he flipped the rig onto its side. He was not injured and no charges were filed.
Less than three weeks later, tragedy struck in rural Randolph, New Hampshire. A pickup Zhukovsky was riding crossed the center line of a two-lane road and slammed into a group of motorcyclists, according to a criminal complaint. Seven were killed and three others injured in the fiery crash.
The victims were military veterans, friends and family members. They included Michael Ferazzi, 62, of Contoocook; Albert Mazza, 59, of Lee; Desma Oakes, 42, of Concord; Aaron Perry, 45, of Farmington; Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside, Rhode Island; and Jo-Ann and Edward Corr, both 58, of Lakeville, Massachusetts.
A vigil Wednesday in Whitman, Massachusetts, drew hundreds of mourners amid the roar of motorcycles. Funerals begin Friday.
Zhukovskyy, a native of Ukraine, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of negligent homicide and is being held for trial in New Hampshire. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have placed a detainer on him and have requested details of Zhukovskyy's criminal history, which includes drunken driving and drug arrests.
The detainer means ICE could attempt to deport Zhukovskyy whenever he is freed, regardless of the result of the criminal proceedings.
His father, who has the same name, told the Boston Herald the wreck last Friday took place on his son's third day on the job with Massachusetts-based Westport Transport. The family relocated to Massachusetts from Ukraine, and his son recently obtained permanent resident status.
“I’m sorry for the families,” the suspect's father told the Herald.
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'I need to go to sleep': Video shows prior arrest of suspect in crash that killed 7 motorcyclists
