An arresting officer told the driver on bodycam that she was "completely negligent about killing two persons tonight." He added, "That is sad, pathetic, horrible, all at once."

A woman who's disturbing behavior after a fatal DUI accident was captured on bodycam received a 14-year prison sentence.

Stephanie Melgoza (24), killed two pedestrians, Andrea Rosewicz (43), and Paul Prowant (55) after a night at the Full Throttle Bar in East Peoria in Illinois, in April 2022.

Melgoza pleaded guilty in a "blind plea deal" to two counts each of aggravated DUI-related death and aggravated reckless driving -- both felonies. Four lesser charges were also dropped.

Melgoza, who was sentenced last week, reportedly apologized to the families of her victims, saying that she "was so sorry for everything." She also promised "never again" to commit such crimes. She continued, "I've not drunk since that day." I don't plan to drink again. I want to make a positive difference and do something to help others. I will speak out against drinking, warn them about its dangers.

During the hearing, a victim's sister asked the judge for the maximum possible sentence, 28 years. She said Melgoza had "devastated multiple families" with his selfishness and showed "zero concern" for other people.

The fatal accident occurred on April 10, 2022. Police body cameras captured the aftermath of the crash.

The Tazewell County Sheriff Department released a video in which Melgoza told police that she had called 9-1-1. She then referred to her college, saying, "I went to Bradley. Why would this happen to you?"

She admitted to authorities that she had marijuana in her vehicle. She said she was driving and "suddenly a person walked in front of my car" and "her car got hit." She then called the police. "I swear, I know only one person was hit. They appeared out of nowhere. "I am a safe motorist," she replied, when told that there was a 2nd victim.

She said she had drank "about three" vodka drinks at a bar before she got in her car. "Right away, if you were to give me a breathalyzer test, I'm sure I would pass." "Don't test, but I believe I would pass," said the woman, when the officer told her that they were very likely to give her a breathalyzer because of the circumstances.

Melgoza said that she was a 5 on a scale from 1-10. 10 is the drunkest she has ever been. She said: "I have been very drunk, right now I can see you and everyone. I am aware of everything."

She laughed during the field sobriety test, exclaiming that it was "hard" to stay still. Then she struggled to understand how to perform the balance and walking tests. She told police that she couldn't perform the walking and balance tests.

She was then placed in handcuffs, and placed behind a police car. Again she denied hitting two people. When she got to the hospital she said "If there were two, I would be crying." I would be like 'Oh, my god, I've done this.' "I know what I did.

She began to talk about her excitement to celebrate her birthday in Las Vegas, and how she would start her trip with two Long Island Iced Teas. The officer who was in the room asked her, "You haven't had enough drinking yet?"

She tells him he is too quiet and starts dancing on the hospital bed. Then she asks if she can have her car back so that she can go to school tomorrow.

Your car has been totaled. Wrecked. "You don't," said he, saying something that she couldn't quite understand. You're telling her that she won't be going to school tomorrow? She then asked.

"No ma'am. Do you want me to tell the truth? You're going in jail. You do not have a bail. You killed two people this evening. "Your car belongs to the police, as it is a crime scene," said he. You killed two people last night. "You are a complete idiot, I have already explained it to you."

He added, "So no, you won't be going to school tomorrow."

She then asked, "Can I attend my night class on Tuesday?"

He was frustrated by the situation and exclaimed: "Didn't you hear what I said?" Did you hear me?

He added, "You are on body cameras being completely careless in killing two people today." "You couldn't care less. That is sad, pathetic and horrifying all at once."

She was shocked by his remarks and asked if it was okay for him to make them. He replied: "Yes ma'am, you can." He said that he was much more concerned with the two people killed in the same evening than he was about her classes or professors. The video ends as she sings to herself once more.

Melgoza graduated from Bradley but was reportedly not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony because of student protests.

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Title: Woman Seen Dancing, Joking on Video After Fatal DUI Crash Gets 14 Years In Prison
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/05/03/stephanie-melgoza-14-years-fatal-dui-bodycam/
Published Date: Wed, 03 May 2023 19:37:07 +0000

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