Maine - Pick-up driver charged in deaths of Last Chance Motorcycle Club riders

OFF THE WIRE
The driver of a pick-up truck who police say killed two motorcycle riders when he veered into them on Route 512 in Bangor has been charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

John P. Heaney III, 49, of Lopatcong Township in New Jersey was arraigned Wednesday morning before District Judge Todd Strohe on numerous other charges, including aggravated assault by vehicle while under the influence, involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving.

Police said a breath test showed Heaney had a blood-alcohol content of .11 percent, above the state's legal limit of .08 percent. Police said he refused to submit to a blood test.

Heaney did not post 10 percent of his $50,000 bail and is being taken to Northampton County Prison.

The family and friends of the two men killed in the crash – Keith Michaelson and Michael Zadoyko – made it clear they wanted charges quickly filed in the case, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said earlier this week. Morganelli has scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Friends of the two men posted rants to Facebook claiming that Heaney was receiving special treatment because he was a retired New Jersey police officer.

But, Morganelli said, it often takes months for police to interview witnesses, collect evidence, reconstruct the crash and await blood test results to determine if the driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

"This crash is no different than dozens of other crashes that we have to thoroughly investigate," Morganelli said.

The afternoon of July 1, police said members of the Last Chance Motorcycle Club were heading west on Route 512 when a pick-up truck crossed the center line and collided head on. Members of the club – who support each other with addictions to drugs and alcohol – were on their way to a funeral.

According to court records, Heaney told police at the scene of the crash that the motorcyclists were in his lane. But, Heaney later told his friend, Wade Slack, that he didn't know what happened and "all he could remember was someone going across the hood" of his truck, court records state.

Heaney told police he was "struck by a motorcycle" that appeared to be passing him, according to the records, while witnesses told police that Heaney crossed into the opposite lane after rounding a turn.

Bangor police said six others were injured in the crash, but did not release names or conditions. Sean McAvoy, a member of the club, said in addition to Zadoyko and Michaelson, four others were injured with broken bones, road rash and severe burns and were expected to recover.

Michaelson, 52, of West Milford, N.J. was a real estate agent and was married with two children. Zadoyko, 47, of Pompton Lakes, N.J. co-owned construction company Northeast Home Works and was the father of three children.

McAvoy has said the club tries to show people a "different way besides drinking and drugging, and it's "a tragedy" that his friends died because of an alleged drunken driver.

"They are just two of the most wonderful guys I know that were just really outstanding fathers and friends and club brothers," he said.
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-bangor-pa-last-chance-motorcycle-c20110713,0,7314742.story