Thousands Ride In Honor Of 'Fallen 7' Bikers Killed In N.H. Crash

Thousands of motorcyclists have traveled through parts of New Hampshire as a tribute to seven bikers killed in a collision with a pickup truck last month.

An estimated 3,000 motorcycles, with 4,500 riders from around the country, took part in the Ride for the Fallen 7 on Saturday. They road 90 miles from Laconia to the crash site in Randolph, where a memorial service was held in a nearby field.

Those killed were members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club. President Manny Ribeiro says the show of support is “just amazing.” He says of the ride: “This is what happens when good people die.”

Organizers of the Ride For the Fallen 7 said the event started out as a way for some motorcyclists to remember the bikers with a ride to the crash site in Randolph.

"We wanted to do something to give back and it was going to be a small ride. It turned into this," said Brian DeSimone, one of the ride's organizers, who said he was partly inspired by the support he received after a near-fatal crash three years ago.

"I'm amazed," he continued. "The biggest reason for the turnout is that it affected two core communities - the biker community and the military community. These communities are extremely loyal and have always looked out for one another."

Manny Ribeiro, the president of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, which the seven riders belonged to, said the memorial ride was just another reminder that the biker community is generous.

"We are just part of this huge community," Ribeiro said. "Those people aren't there just because seven motorcyclists died. Those people are there because the seven motorcyclists were class-A people who would give their shirts off their back for each and every one of you if you needed it. Those are the people who died."

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.

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.