Log In


Reset Password
  • MENU
    State
    Sunday, May 05, 2024

    Thousands of motorcyclists ride in honor of 7 bikers killed

    A motorcyclist passes an American flag on the route for the Ride for the Fallen 7 in near Randolph, N.H., on Saturday, July 6, 2019. Thousands of motorcyclists traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to the seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)

    LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Thousands of motorcyclists, waved on by bystanders with American flags, rode through New Hampshire on Saturday to the site where seven bikers were killed in a collision with a truck last month.

    More than 3,000 bikers, some from as far away as California and Florida, participated in the 90-mile tribute trip from Laconia to the somber crash site in Randolph, where a memorial of flags and color guard stood. A memorial service was held in a field just beyond the crash site.

    "This is what happens when good people die," said Manny Ribeiro, president of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, to which the victims of the crash belonged. He didn't attend the ride, saying it was "too soon" for him to be at the crash site but said the event and turnout was "just amazing."

    The Jarheads is a New England motorcycle club that includes Marines and their spouses. On Saturday, the crowd of bikers said a prayer and sang the Marines' Hymn before heading out from Laconia, according to organizers.

    The seven bikers were killed last month when a pickup truck hauling a flatbed trailer crashed into the group. The pickup driver, Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide and remains behind bars.

    Those killed 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.

    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."

    Motorcyclists participate in the Ride for the Fallen 7 on Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Randolph, N.H. Thousands of motorcyclists traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to the seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    Motorcyclists participate in the Ride for the Fallen 7 on Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Randolph, N.H. Thousands of motorcyclists traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to the seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    A veteran, who declined to be identified, kneels at a memorial for seven people killed in a collision with a pickup truck while riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club last month, Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Randolph, N.H. Thousands of motorcyclists converged at the crash site at the conclusion of the 90-mile Ride for the Fallen 7 to remember the riders who were killed. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    Motorcyclists participate in the Ride for the Fallen 7 on Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Randolph, N.H. Thousands of motorcyclists traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to the seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    An American flag hangs on a pickup truck along the route for the Ride for the Fallen 7 in Twin Mountain, N.H., on Saturday, July 6, 2019. Thousands of motorcyclists traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to the seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    Fran Haasch inspects a memorial at the site where a crash claimed the lives of seven people riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club last month Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Randolph, N.H. Thousands of motorcyclists converged at the crash site at the conclusion of the 90-mile Ride for the Fallen 7 to remember the riders who were killed. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    A mourner kneels at a memorial to seven people whose lives were claimed in a fiery crash while riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club last month, Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Randolph, N.H. Thousands of motorcyclists converged at the crash site at the conclusion of the 90-mile Ride for the Fallen 7 in New Hampshire to remember the riders who were killed. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    A man salutes a memorial in Randolph, N.H., on Saturday, July 6, 2019, located at the site of a fiery crash that claimed the lives of seven people riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club last month. Thousands of motorcyclists traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    Jessica Ribeiro, of Massachusetts, attends a memorial in Randolph, N.H., the destination of the 90-mile Ride for the Fallen 7 on Saturday, July 6, 2019. Thousands of motorcyclists have traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to the seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)
    Jessica Ribeiro, of Massachusetts, attends a memorial in Randolph, N.H., the destination of the 90-mile Ride for the Fallen 7 on Saturday, July 6, 2019. Thousands of motorcyclists have traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to the seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month. (Paul Hayes/Caledonian-Record via AP)

    Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.