Illinois woman giggles, dances after killing couple in DUI crash, video shows

[dalton99a]

(Recently released video)

Bodycam: Illinois Woman Laughs, Plays Dumb After Killing Two People in Deadly DUI Crash

Bodycam footage shows an Illinois woman laughing and playing dumb after she killed two people in a deadly DUI crash on April 10, 2022. Stephanie Melgoza blew three times over the legal limit shortly after failing every other sobriety test performed by East Peoria officers. "This doesn't happen. I go to Bradley," the clearly intoxicated woman said referencing the private university she was set to graduate from in the coming weeks. “You’re pathetic,” an officer said to Melgoza in the hospital when she continued to joke around after learning the two victims died. Melgoza pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI death and two counts of aggravated reckless driving before getting sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday.

Partial transcript:

Melgoza: "You never answered me about my car. I have school tomorrow, so how do I get my car?"

Police: "Well, your car is totaled."

Melgoza: "It's what?"

Police: "Your car is totaled."

Melgoza: "Total, total?"

Police: "Totaled. Wrecked."

Melgoza: "OK, so how do I get it here then?"

Police: "You don't."

Melgoza: "So, I don't go to school tomorrow is what you're telling me?"

Police: "No. ma'am. You want me to be honest with you? You're going to jail. You don't have a bond. You killed two people tonight. I don't think you understand that. You do not have a bond. You are not getting out of jail. Your car is property of East Peoria Police Department because it's a crime scene. It killed two people tonight. You are clueless with that. Clearly, I've already explained this to you. You're going to jail for reckless homicide tonight. You're going to jail for aggravated DUI for killing two people. That's what's going on. So, no you're not going to school tomorrow. You're not getting your car out of impound."

Melgoza: "Can I get it Tuesday for my night class?"

Police: "Did you just hear what I just told you?

Melgoza: "You said I'm not going tomorrow. I'm talking about Tuesday."

Police: "Did you hear what I said?"

Melgoza: "You said, 'you're going to jail tomorrow.'"

Police: "You're going to jail right when we're done here. Did you understand what I told you? That you killed two people tonight?"

Melgoza: "Yes. I'm just wondering when I can go to school."

Police: "OK, we're done. You're all on body camera being completely careless about killing two people tonight. You could care less. That's sad and pathetic and horrible all at the same time."

Melgoza: "Can you say that as a cop?"

Police: "Yes, ma'am. I can."

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https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illinois-woman-giggles-dances-after-killing-couple-in-dui-crash-video-shows/

Illinois woman giggles, dances after killing couple in DUI crash, video shows
by: Jack Baudoin
Posted: May 8, 2023 / 02:46 PM CDT

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WTVO) — An Illinois woman was sentenced to 14 years behind bars after she was recorded giggling following a DUI crash, which killed a couple.

The accident happened back in April 2022, when Stephanie Melgoza, 24, fatally struck Paul Prowant, 55, and his girlfriend, 43-year-old Andrea Rosewicz, according to Fox.

Officer responded to the scene, finding Melgoza’s totaled red Dodge Dart with a severed leg “sticking out of the grill.” She said that she was ” “just getting her night started” when the accident happened.

An open bottle of vodka was found on her car’s floor.

...

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended.

I feel odd "recommending" this, as it is awful. I saw the film last week. Just unreal.

[Effete Snob]

2. It may be worth mentioning that she was sentenced to 14 years

https://www.pekintimes.com/story/news/crime/2023/04/27/peoria-area-woman-receives-14-year-prison-sentence-for-fatal-dui-crash/70159340007/

Peoria-area woman receives 14-year prison sentence for fatal DUI crash

[live love laugh]

3. She should do "well" in prison with the self-entertainment skills.

[Skittles]

5. sentenced to 14 years

https://nypost.com/2023/05/04/dad-of-woman-seen-giggling-after-killing-2-people-slams-trolls/

[Maru Kitteh]

16. Ugh, and while awaiting trial she got married and pregnant

and apparently all that time the family continued to post publicly celebrating her marriage and pregnancy like everything was just normal.

I can see why people kinda hate the parents as well as the killer.

[Skittles]

18. yes

while I will always understand family members standing by their loved ones, they really should be low-key when the damage done is that horrific

[pazzyanne]

6. Unbelievable.

At 3 times the legal limit, I'm amazed she is upright. My question is, did she ever acknowledge she killed 2 people?

On Edit: She did express remorse during the hearing. Sad. Too little, too late.

[hlthe2b]

14. Alcohol at that level brings out one's worst self, but it doesn't mean it is not representative

of at least SOME of her true self. She may not show such unbelievable narcissism and vile lack of compassion for others MOST of the time when alcohol does not free her from any self-constraints. But it is clearly part of her makeup. Maybe jail will make a difference.

The victims, on the other hand, (and their friends/families) will never have another chance.

[pazzyanne]

22. ...

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Thought The Same

At 0.24 I'm surprised she could walk to the car.

[grantcart]

7. Impressed with the 14 years

I cannot imagine why anyone would get behind the wheel after a single beer now that Uber is available.

[pazzyanne]

8. Exactly! nt

[DFW]

9. The cop nailed it.

Sad, pathetic and horrible, all at the same time. I‘m just amazed at how he kept his cool.

[ShazzieB]

10. What an idiot.

I don't know why the title says "playing dumb." She was so drunk that she literally did not seem to comprehend the reality of the situation. I don't think she was capable of "playing" anything. (I'm not making excuses for her. I don't know if being this out of touch with reality is better or worse than if she was faking; I'm just saying I think the video title is misleading.)

This is a perfect illustration of someone who's been drinking and is completely incapable of assessing whether they are okay to drive. There's a point where a person's judgment is nonexistent, and when someone is at that point, they are incapable of realizing it. Which means they think they are just fine to drive, like this chick obviously did! All the facepalms.

[RobinA]

21. Playing Dumb

I'm with you on the playing dumb. She wasn't playing anything. She was either dumb from the alcohol and trauma or she started out dumb. She was obviously incapable of processing what happened, given the car discussion. I mean, she didn't even fake concern for the people she hit or for herself. I thought she did pretty well on the field sobriety tests considering how much alcohol she had in her. I know people who can't heal toe stone sober.

[pazzyanne]

23. Same nt

[Ampulae]

11. Tragic

Anyone who knows about alcoholism would probably think her in a "blackout" and due for the worst hangover of her life. I've known more than one horrified person who "came to" to find that they had killed someone behind the wheel. It's tragic. But for powers greater than myself it could have been me. Thankfully, I've been sober just shy of 31 years, but have seen a lot.

[7wo7rees]

12. Just flat out tragic. Again late tonight, this morning, I am stunned again.

I've not been on DU most of today. My mother with dementia on Wednesday finished lunch and said she did not want to live anymore. She walked to her room, locked herself in and wrapped charging cords around her neck.

To have watched this is just heart breaking. It has been a long few days and tomorrow looks to be just as difficult.

I'm so very sorry for the 2 people she killed. Maybe she can finish her degree in the next 14 years. Just sad.

Ms7wo7rees

[MissB]

13. I'm so sorry

[Skittles]

20. very sorry 7w07rees

remember someone is always here on DU....we care

[7wo7rees]

25. Thank you and know you all are. Ms7wo7rees n/t

[irisblue]

24. I am so so sorry to read this 7wo7rees

[7wo7rees]

26. Thank you Iris. I stay quiet but the last few days.... n/t Ms7wo7rees

[Vinca]

15. It would be nice if she happened to be a trust fund baby so the family of the victims could

sue her to the point she'd never be able to afford a car again. What a horrid creature.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. Nice, But Doubtful

Bradley is not a high end school. The tuition there now is lower than where I went. About $36k for tuition.
I doubt many trust fund babies go there.
(I went to HS with 2 guys that went to Bradley. Nice school, but it's not Harvard of Stanford. )