Stephanie Melgoza: DUI Crash, Sentence & Shocking Video?

18 May, 2025

Is justice truly blind? The case of Stephanie Melgoza, a former Bradley University student, highlights a chilling intersection of tragedy and accountability, underscoring the devastating consequences of impaired driving.

Stephanie Melgoza's name became synonymous with a nightmare scenario on April 10, 2022, a date etched in sorrow for two families in East Peoria, Illinois. On that night, Melgoza, then 24, drove under the influence, her blood alcohol level reportedly exceeding three times the legal limit. Her vehicle struck and killed two pedestrians, Andrea Rosewicz and Paul Prowant, outside a local bar. The aftermath of the accident, captured on bodycam footage, sparked widespread outrage, revealing Melgoza laughing and joking despite the fatal consequences of her actions. This callous display further fueled the public's anger and intensified scrutiny of the case. The incident propelled Stephanie Melgoza into the national spotlight, not for achievement or acclaim, but as a symbol of the recklessness and devastation caused by drunk driving.

Stephanie Melgoza: Bio & Case Details
Full Name	Stephanie Melgoza
Age (at time of incident)	24 years old (in April 2022)
Date of Birth (Estimated)	Likely born in 1999
Citizenship	American
Education	Former Bradley University Student (East Peoria, IL); Senior at the time of the incident
Incident Date	April 10, 2022
Location of Incident	East Peoria, Illinois; 3300 block of North Main Street (around 10:15 p.m.)
Victims	Andrea Rosewicz and Paul Prowant
Charges	Two counts of Aggravated DUI Death Two counts of Aggravated Reckless Driving
Plea	Guilty (Entered a "blind plea" in Tazewell County Circuit Court)
Sentence	14 years in prison (Sentenced on April 27, 2023); Must serve at least 85% of the sentence.
Legal Representation	Kevin Sullivan (Attorney)
Key Evidence	Bodycam footage showing Melgoza's behavior at the scene and during sobriety tests Melgoza's blood alcohol level (more than three times the legal limit) Court records detailing the arrest and charges
Father	Patrick O'Brian
Reference Link	pjstar.com

Stephanie Melgoza The Rising Star Who’s Making Waves In The

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