FROM OUR PRINTED DEC. 2024 EDITION
BOSTON – A former owner of the now-defunct Westfield Transport, Inc. was sentenced on November 11, 2024 on 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, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to two months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release, during which he is prohibited from driving commercially. The government recommended a sentence of one year in prison. In August 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements to federal investigators. He was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendant Dartanyan Gasanov.
“Today’s sentencing brings a measure of accountability for the defendant’s reckless and illegal actions. By falsifying safety records and lying to investigators, this defendant put profits over public safety, with potentially devastating consequences,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Adhering to federal safety regulations is critical to protecting public safety and our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who flouts them in this manner. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims’ families and loved ones as they continue to endure the aftermath of this tragedy.”
“The sentence announced today reinforces that there are real consequences for those who endanger the safety of the traveling public by flagrantly circumventing federal laws and regulations,” said Christopher A. Scharf, special agent-in-charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. “We hold in our thoughts the loved ones affected by the tragedy that occurred in 2019, as we continue our work to support safety on our nation’s roads.”
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. On June 18, 2019, Dunyadar Gasanov hired a driver despite knowing that the driver had a history of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. On June 21, 2019, on his first trip as an employee for Westfield Transport, the driver was involved in a crash that killed seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire.
A subsequent investigation revealed that, from May 3, 2019 to June 23, 2019, Dunyadar Gasanov and, allegedly, Dartanyan 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.
Additionally, Dunyadar Gasanov falsely stated to inspectors that he met the driver involved in the June 2019 fatal crash driver on the day he had 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.
Dartanyan Gasanov has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
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. ♦
