ICE places detainer on driver accused of killing 7 motorcyclists in NH

CONCORD, N.H. — A lawyer for a pickup truck driver blamed for causing a collision that killed seven motorcyclists has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Authorities said Tuesday that 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy waived his arraignment on negligent homicide charges. The plea was entered in Lancaster, New Hampshire.

On Wednesday, a day after Zhukovskyy pleaded not guilty to the charges, Boston 25 News learned Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials placed a detainer on him. He will be taken into ICE custody at the conclusion of local criminal proceedings.

Zhukovskyy was arrested Monday morning at his home in Massachusetts and handed over to New Hampshire authorities after a court appearance that day.

Investigators say the truck Zhukovskyy was driving was towing a flatbed trailer when it collided with a group of motorcycles Friday on a two-lane highway in Randolph.

Criminal complaints say Zhukovskyy was driving erratically, crossed the center line and collided with the bikes.

Records show Zhukovskyy has been stopped twice on suspicion of drunken driving in the past seven years.

According to police in Baytown, Texas, Zhukovskyy was arrested at a Denny's restaurant around 2 a.m. back in February.

Just weeks ago, on June 3, police in Baytown say Zhukovskyy was involved in a roll-over crash with his car-hauler tractor-trailer. He told police he was cut off by a car and over-steered and flipped over. He was working for FBI Express Incorporated out of Westfield at the time. He was not cited and did not appear to be under the influence, police said.

A trial date for Zhukovskyy has been set for sometime between November and December 2019. Jury selection is set for Nov. 8, 2019.

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Associated Press