Co-Owner of Westfield Transport Pleads Guilty to Charges Stemming From 2019 Crash That Killed Seven Motorcyclists

Press Release

Defendant provided false logs to evade safety regulations and lied to investigators

BOSTON - A former owner of the now-defunct Westfield Transport, Inc., pleaded guilty today to federal charges related to a June 2019 collision involving one of the company's vehicles that caused the deaths of seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire.

Dunyadar Gasanov, a/k/a Damien Gasanov, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements to federal investigators. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 21, 2024. Dunyadar Gasanov was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendant Dartanayan Gasanov.

"Keeping communities safe takes all forms. In this case, it is about making sure that operators of commercial vehicles adhere to all required safety procedures and regulations. We will not forget the lives in June 2019 that relates to this conviction. This defendant flouted those laws that are critical to public safety, and he jeopardized everyone on the road, with tragic consequences here," said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

"Today's guilty plea is a somber reminder of the lives lost on June 21, 2019, and the devastating impact this tragic accident had on loved ones and the community," said Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. "Together with our prosecutorial partners, we will engage the full force of our collective resources to pursue companies and individuals who intentionally ignore federal regulations and, in so do doing, compromise the safety of the traveling public on our Nation's roadways."

According to court filings, the defendant owned now-defunct Westfield Transport, Inc. - a for-hire interstate motor carrier that transported vehicles primarily in the northeastern United States. From May 3, 2019 to June 23, 2019, Dunyadar Gasanov and, allegedly, Dartanayan Gasanov falsified driving logs in order to evade federal regulations designed to ensure the safety of roadways and drivers. Dunyadar Gasanov instructed at least one Westfield Transport employee to falsify records, thereby exceeding the number of permissible driving hours, and then made false statements to federal inspectors regarding the manipulation of recording devices that track drivers' on and off duty hours in order to evade regulations.

Dunyadar Gasanov also admitted that he falsely stated to inspectors that he met a driver for Westfield Transport, who was involved in a crash in New Hampshire that resulted in the death of seven motorcyclists, on the day he hired him. In fact, Dunyadar Gasanov had known the driver for years prior and knew that the driver had been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol years before.

Dartanayan Gasanov has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Each charge of making a false statement to a federal investigator provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and DOT OIG SAC Scharf made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated August 13, 2024