Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledges $100G to families of bikers killed in NH crash
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledged Saturday to donate $100,000 to the families of seven motorcyclists killed in a New Hampshire crash last month.
Kraft joined thousands of bikers at a memorial event for the victims outside Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. and pledged to donate the money to a GoFundMe page set up to assist the victims' families. All seven of those killed in the June 21 crash were members or supporters of the Jarheads, a New England motorcycle club that includes Marines and their spouses.
"The Jarheads are what makes America the greatest," Kraft told the crowd. "We are all Patriots and you are the true patriots."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Before the memorial, the campaign had already raised over $560,000. Kraft said if they did not reach their goal of $700,000 by the end of the day, he would match the difference.
THOUSANDS OF MOTORCYCLISTS RIDE IN HONOR OF 7 BIKERS KILLED IN NH CRASH
The seven bikers -- Michael Ferazzi, 62, of Contoocook, N.H.; Albert Mazza, 49, of Lee, N.H.; Desma Oakes, 42, of Concord, N.H.; Aaron Perry, 45, of Farmington, N.H.; Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside, R.I.; and married couple Joanne and Edward Corr, both 58, of Lakeville, Mass. -- were killed when a pickup truck hauling a flatbed trailer slammed into a group of riders in the town of Randolph, N.H.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Members of the U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club salute the flag during the playing of the National Anthem. (Mark Stockwell/The Sun Chronicle via AP)
Manny Ribeiro, Jarheads president and crash survivor, said the weeks since the crash have been "awful" but the "unwavering support" has helped the group and the biker community through the tragedy.
"This event would not have come together without Mr. Kraft," he said over the sound of live music and roaring motorcycles. Some bikers came to the event from as far afield as Arizona and Louisiana.
George Loring, another Jarheads member, said the support helps, but "it doesn't stop the tears."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Attendees observe a moment of silence during Saturday's memorial and remembrance service. ((Mark Stockwell/The Sun Chronicle via AP))
"Every motorcyclist here is here to support those who have died and those who are injured and hopefully their presence today will help everybody heal," said Loring, who was yards away from the crash.
"It's the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life," Michael Ferazzi's son Matthew told Boston 25 News. "I think it would be for everyone. How can it not be? "It’s all I think about. It's all we think about. We miss him."
PICKUP TRUCK DRIVER ARRESTED FOLLOWING NH HIGHWAY COLLISION THAT LEFT 7 MOTORCYCLISTS DEAD
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The pickup driver, Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide and remains behind bars.
Connecticut officials twice alerted Massachusetts about a drunken driving arrest against Zhukovskyy. Despite the alerts, Massachusetts failed to suspend his license.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he's drafting legislation to make the state's commercial driver requirements more stringent. The state is also bringing in an outside firm to audit the motor vehicles registry.
"They were riding for good," Matthew Ferazzi said. "They were riding for charity. They were riding to help people. My dad was a public servant his entire life. He helped people his entire life. That's all he knew."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}