NTSB: Pickup Driver ’ s Drug Use Critical In Death Of 7 Bikers In NH

(AP) – A pickup driver’s drug use was the reason he crashed last year into an oncoming group of motorcyclists in New Hampshire, leading to the death of seven bikers, the National Transportation Safety Board found Tuesday. The board unanimously approved a report that determined that Volodymyr Zhukovskyy’s impairment from the drugs was the “probable cause” for him crossing the center line on a rural, two-lane highway and sparking the fiery crash. Zhukovskyy was returning from delivering vehicles for a Massachusetts transport company and was towing an empty flatbed trailer. NTSB investigators told the board that Zhukovskyy had drugs, including opioids, in his system. They also said witnesses had reported him driving erratically. Volodymyr Zhukovskyy in Springfield District Court, June 24, 2019. (WBZ-TV) “Very sadly, the circumstances of this crash underscore the rising concern regarding the impact of multi-substance impairment on transportation safety,” NTSB member Thomas Chapman said during the virtual hearing. “Our own research in this area indicates the instances of drug-impaired driving is increasing at even greater rates than alcohol-impaired driving.” Investigators ruled out cellphone use or weather as a factor. They couldn’t rule out that fatigue played a role but concluded its effects were unclear because of the drug use. The crash happened June 21, 2019, in Randolph. The seven bikers were members of the Jarhe...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Syndicated CBSN Boston Volodymyr Zhukovskyy Source Type: news