Transport company owner charged in accident that killed 7 motorcyclists

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey—The Atlantic City Police Department announced the arrest of five juvenile males in connection with an armed robbery that occurred Aug. 9 at the Tropicana Atlantic City.

The incident occurred at 8:05 p.m. when the victim was attacked and robbed by a group of people, one of whom threatened him with a large knife.

Tropicana security guards were able to videotape the suspects, helping police respond quickly. The department’s Surveillance Center played a key role in tracking the suspects’ movements after the robbery, providing photos that allowed officers to quickly identify them in the field.

Officers William Harned and Julian Monsalve initially spotted and pursued three suspects on the first block of South Texas Avenue, successfully apprehending them despite their attempted escape. A fourth suspect was arrested on the 2600 block of Atlantic Avenue by Officers Harned, Monsalve, and Adrianna Petinga.

The fifth and final suspect was captured by Officers Christopher Campbell and Juan Perez-Delacruz after a short pursuit in the 2600 block of Arctic Avenue. While running away, he threw away a bag containing a large knife and items stolen from the victim, which were later recovered by police.

BOSTON, MA—Dunyadar Gasanov, also known as Damien Gasanov, the 39-year-old former owner of the now-defunct Westfield Transport, Inc., pleaded guilty today to federal charges stemming from a June 2019 crash that killed seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire.

Gasanov pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements to federal investigators. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21.

The deadly incident, which had a profound impact on the community and the families of the victims, highlighted serious safety violations. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said ensuring that commercial vehicle operators follow all safety procedures is critical to public safety.

“This defendant broke these laws that are essential to public safety and endangered everyone on the road, and that had tragic consequences here,” Levy said.

Court documents allege that between May 3 and June 23, 2019, Dunyadar Gasanov and Dartanayan Gasanov, who has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial, instructed their employees to falsify driving logs in order to circumvent federal safety regulations.

Dunyadar Gasanov also lied about his acquaintance with the driver involved in the fatal accident, knowing that the driver had previously been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

WILMERDING, PA—The Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit is currently investigating a fatal shooting in Wilmerding.

The incident was reported to county police 9-1-1 at 2:13 p.m. today after receiving a report of a shooting in the 100 block of State Street.

Upon arrival, responders discovered an adult male who had been shot. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide detectives began investigating the incident.