(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
A pleasant Prairie man was in court for the first time today after recently being released by a Milwaukee Hospital and rehab facility. Ajay G. Pierangeli, 21, of Pleasant Prairie, was 20 years old when his drunken action killed two of his friends and severely injured two others, according to court documents.
Criminal charges were filed last week in the deaths of two Kenosha County residents from a crash on July 28, 2023. At approximately 3:05 am, a 2008 Red Dodge Dakota occupied by five people crashed into Play It Again Sports located at 4017 75th St in Kenosha. The driver was identified as 20-year-old Ajay Pierangeli (formerly Fierke). According to the report, obtained by KCE from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and the criminal complaint, police allege Pierangeli was intoxicated and that speed also caused him to lose control of the truck. Pierangeli’s blood alcohol level was more than three and a half times the legal limit at .282 BAC. Two occupants of a private ambulance witnessed the crash and estimated the speed to be about 70 mph in a 30mph zone. They also saw the vehicle swerving and occupants of the vehicle “blowing kisses” out of the window before the crash. They noted the truck went airborne.
(Wisconsin Department of Transportation)
This is Pierangeli’s second OWI. His first conviction was from an August 9, 2019 arrest in which he was convicted of drunk-driving at age 16, and did not consent to a breath test. He was involved in a very serious wreck and flipped his vehicle. He has other liquor-related violations as well. He was convicted of underage possession of alcohol in November of 2021 and Inattentive driving in 2019.
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(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Quincy Adams, 22 of Pleasant Prairie sustained a left rib fracture, collapsed lung, and a small pulmonary contusion. Quincy said he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt and he believed no one in the car was. He called his mother after the crash, but not 9-1-1. He was visibly upset and didn’t know the truck crashed into a building. He said the five occupants were all drinking at a “hangout,” but wouldn’t tell police where. Today, Adams asked the court to allow his friend to “come home,” seemingly asking for a no-cash bail.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
A 21-year-old Pleasant Prairie man named Alex Wajerski was also seriously injured in the crash. Like Adams, he asked the court for mercy, allowing his friend to have a low bail. He was also wearing a neck brace and had difficulty speaking, seemingly due to his injuries.
A 22-year-old Kenosha man named Dylan Zamora and a 21-year-old Kenosha woman named Jenna Barrette passed away as a result of the crash. An official time of death for the pair is listed as 5:01 am, but paramedics noted they were deceased immediately after the crash.
The Kenosha County DA’s office has charged Ajay Pierangeli with two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, a class D felony, Injury by Intoxicated Use of Vehicle and OWI Causing Injury (2nd). If convicted of all counts, Pierangeli faces a maximum sentence of just over 68 years in the Wisconsin State Prison System – More than 40 years of initial confinement followed by 28 years of extended supervision.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Pierangeli sustained ruptured lung and a possible brain injury. His attorney asked the court commissioner to set a no-cash bail, meaning that his client would be able to go home without having to pay any bail money. He also asked to for his client to be put on house arrest. He said that Pierangeli works at Ruffolo’s 2 here in Kenosha and that his job is “waiting for him upon his release.” Melowski then awkwardly said that all of the passengers were intoxicated and “any one of them” could be in Pierangeli’s position. There is no evidence that any of the passengers have driven drunk like Melowski suggested. He said that his client needs to have a “good night’s rest” and can’t do so in the jail. Attorney Melowsky also suggested, without evidence, that blood draws at hospitals are often inaccurate.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Veteran prosecutor Zachary Brost didn’t relent in his request for a half million dollar bond. He told the court that the black box inside the vehicle contained evidence that Pierangeli had his foot 100% depressed on the gas pedal and 0% on the brake at the time the truck ran into Play It Again-l Sports, killing two people and injuring two others. He detailed Pierangeli’s reckless driving and speed in addition to being more than 3.5 times the legal limit.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel II didn’t buy the defense’s argument that Pierangeli needs a good night’s sleep and should stay out of jail. He re-affirmed his $500,000 bail that he set when he signed Pierangeli’s arrest warrant.
“I’ve had a lot of time to review this criminal complaint. I’m the one who signed the warrant for Mr. Pierangeli. I was very concerned, as counsel brought up, the BAC at .282. Then also the fact that he has a prior conviction for an OWI… At the time he was not [21 years old]. The concern I have, count one [and two are] homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle…this court is very concerned for the safety of this community. You have a young man who allegedly was driving, and we have statements within the criminal complaint from individuals that were in the [private] ambulance that observed his behavior – how he was driving. It’s very concerning – he put not only the four other passengers that were in the vehicle at risk, but he put the whole community at risk by how he was driving and the court does believe that $500,000 is warranted,” said Commissioner Michel.
Pierangeli did appear to cry at one point in today’s hearing, but this author saw no tears.
(Legacy.com)
According to Jenna’s obituary:
“She loved spending time with her family, friends, and especially her cat Max. Her love for animals didn’t stop there as she worked at the Humane Society and fostered kittens and puppies in her free time. She also loved going to the beach and pool, working out with her sister, taking naps, and playing volleyball.
She played competitive volleyball since she was nine years old, including club, high school, and college. Jenna always lived life to the fullest. Just in the last few months, she completed her junior year of college, went on a Mediterranean cruise, and went to Summerfest and Country Thunder. Jenna made everyone around her feel special and loved. Countless people thought of her as their best friend. She had a smile and personality that would light up any room she walked into. Although many are grieving here, Jenna ultimately fulfilled her purpose on earth, and God called her home to Heaven.”
According to Dylan’s obituary:
“Born on July 20, 2001, in Kenosha; he was the son of Erin Zamora.
He was educated in the schools of Kenosha and was a graduate of Tremper High School. He was attending the University of Wisconsin Parkside as a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with the goal of becoming a Physician’s Assistant.
He was an avid lover of all sports, especially soccer, having spent four years on the Tremper soccer team. In his younger years, he played a season of CYC football for the Bears, which didn’t bode well with him as he was a Packer’s fan.
He also greatly enjoyed video games, playing online with friends from all corners of the world. He loved animals, especially dogs and would always talk about how he wanted to have the biggest dog possible someday. He enjoyed traveling and loved going to Minnesota to see his many relatives. He recently shared his aspirations of someday moving to Seattle and raising a family of his own.”
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(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
67 Responses
Time to pay the piper for two counts of murder
The arrogance of Adams, Wajerski and Pierangeli as the article states, “they were all drinking at a ‘hangout,’ but would not tell the police.” I hope they all get 68 years. and they think nothing of their two “friends” whom they have killed. Every resident of Kenosha and PP are threatened by these people as long as they are free. And I hope that Pierangeli never shows his face at Ruffolo’s 2.
You’re an uppity fucking dipshit. You also probably think Ruffalos 2 is fine dining.
How is it possible for anybody to glean that from Mike’s statement? You clearly have a comprehension disorder.
Now you can twist my statement into whatever best suits your agenda.
And then if he does what are you going to do? Nothing. All of us at Ruffolos 2 love and care about him despite what he did.
Ruffalos supporting criminal scum. Now why does that not surprise me at all?
K Karen….I mean dipshit.
So the Ruffalos have their employees supporting a criminal who killed people, and yet somehow anyone who don’t like the Ruffalos or their clan supporting criminals is a dipshit? You’re probably one of them anyway. The Ruffalo family, at least the ones I’ve had the misfortune of meeting, are pretty awful people.
All you have to do is spent two minutes in there to realize how trash and low class that dump and their owners are. Terrible food too.
how can you support someone that took two lives, Dylan was my nephew my godson and he was going to be the first doctor in our family AJ’s actions took him from us. I used to consider AJ my nephew yeah not no more he can rot in prison.
It’s completely untrue that Quincy refused to say where they were. He just could not state an exact address after he was involved in the most tragic accident of his life with his best friends. Not to mention they questioned him IMMEDIATELY after the incident took place.
What makes the passengers who survived more liable than the ones who passed away? The only one liable and at fault is the one behind the wheel. How awful of you.
Exactly. They all knew the risk not just the driver. I believe just the fact that the friends that didn’t die all knew it could be them in his spot. I’m sure they did not plan to get killed or be killed. They all knew & nobody got out the car . So he’s already feeling like shit for not having his 2 friends & not being able to mourn their passing. They all seem like ride or die youngsters. It was a tragic accident. It’s extremely sad & a great loss of life but we need to educate & educate be brutal to these teens abt what drunk driving actually looks like real death blood hanging our body parts all that. They don’t know til they know. Stop hiding the truth abt what death looks like when we make stupid decisions. Guarding us from it obviously not helping. Be blunt & brutal they need to see now that many have been lied to & need to see before they believe. So stop editing so much put the sheet down & stop saying for respect respect gone when we gone. We not abt to get embarrassed. We should know ahead of time that we will be made examples of if we make bad choices.. it’s time to save lives respect the life that’s still here. Why so much respect go to the dead? They could have been here had they not chose wrong. Be honest we love our dead peeps but but let’s love the ones still in our reach & start telling truth., it will save lives!! Stop babying us & then wonder y u seeing a temper tantrum. Part enabler.
It was NOT a tragic accident! They were all adults who very well knew what happens when you drink and drive. This was a negligent crash that resulted in the death of 2 people. The negligent driver needs to be punished accordingly. Hopefully, the surviving members learned a valuable lesson, but I doubt it based on their performance in court, begging for leniency for the person that damn near killed them. The utter ignorance of young people is unfathomable.
Ursula the content of your message is spot on. I serve as a Behind the Wheel Instructor and I always stress to my students the consequences of being an impaired driver. The past summer semester I taught a Drivers Education Instructional course for students about to obtain their license. One of the sessions I invited a personal injury lawyer to discuss the distracted driving and the aftermath of it. He talked to the students as if he were their parent or grandparent. The students were bored, before he departed, he stated maybe I should show the students images of wrecked vehicles and disabled victims as a result of the accident cases he dealt with, I responded yes you should have done that so the students see up close impact on what the results are when a driver is impaired. As I always say to my students nothing happens good on the roadways after midnight, or even earlier sometimes.
I don’t understand why the young man’s parents didn’t get him help for his drinking problem DUI when he was 16 that is sad.
I thought the same thing.
What makes the passengers who survived more liable than the ones who passed away? The only one liable and at fault is the one behind the wheel. How awful of you.
I think it’s pretty fucking obvious they all were likely trashed….
If you were sober, would you let a drunk person driving home? Yeah didn’t think so.
Writing is on the wall…
Exactly! That will likely be the defense – they were all trashed. I’m even betting that if it was one of the deceased victims hanging out the window blowing kisses right before the crash…. the defense will attempt to focus on that behavior as the reason they didn’t survive the crash, instead of the drunk driver.
I’m waiting to hear the location of this so called hangout.
I heard they were hanging out at residence of the girl Pierangeli is dating. If this case goes to trial, I would imagine (if true) – she will be called to testify … along with Adams and Warjerski.
I know the hangout location. They were posting pictures at the girls house they partied at on Instagram
Friends house
I am glad to see murder trial on a daily. Maybe then we will see more attempted murders on all the other duis we have in this state. After all what is their intent if they knowingly drink and drive ..roulette against anyone in their line of site. Those on a buzz are just as guilty..build the prisons. Keep the drunks and predators lock away!
His drinking friends will have to get used to him no longer being available for partying. He’s going to be on an alcohol-free diet for a few decades, a decision he could have made for himself after his first DUI.
Lock his ass up .. in real life you pay for your actions …
Pierangeli can get his sober sleep behind bars.
I find the request for his client to go home and get a good nights sleep ridiculous. Gee so sorry you killed two people but yes you are entitled to go home and sleep. Nothing like an entitled punk.
i am sure the parents of the two that died have not gotten a good night’s sleep since that fateful day
We cannot continue letting criminals off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. the fact that this kid did not pay much of a price the last time is likely why it happened again, only this time he murdered two and injured two more. He needs to serve all 70 years in prison and be an example to others.
All of it is horribly sad. It’s so difficult to grasp any of it. Prayers to all families.
Another completely unnecessary devastating tragedy perpetrated by an overindulged poor little rich kid from the lake, with mommy and daddy paying for his high priced lawyers along the way. Obviously he didn’t learn anything from his last DUI. Hopefully he pays the price for his actions this time. So sad other families have to suffer from this tragedy.
Melowski is at least 10k down.
Wasted money.
There is nothing an attorney can do in a case like this.
How about ask for a low cash bond instead of looko g stupid?
10k down the drain.
My favorite line from Melowski was that Pierangeli needs to go home and get a “good night’s rest.” REALLY?? poor baby, can’t get comfy on the jail mattress after killing two people?
What about the parents of the two kids who died? I bet they would like a good night’s sleep too, instead of being ridden with grief.
Unfortunately I was acquainted with both his spineless father and total whack job mother in tbeir you ger days.
The father should have learned from his own substance abuse to guide his son in a better direction.
The father also suffered for years under the boot of the whack job mother’s control for the sake of the children. Her tyranny was enough to drive anyone to substance abuse unfortunately.
Sad situation all around but I blame all those who looked the other way or condoned the mental abuse the mother heaped on the father the most. Her abusive and controlling antics spawned this tragedy in more ways than one.
Sometimes the woman is the criminal, not the victim.
Say it with your real name, anonymous pussy
Calls someone a pussy for not using real name. Don’t use real name. Must be a democrat hypocrite
You’re pretty quick to pass judgment on people but, to much of a coward to put your name to it.
There is a lot of truth to this but his father is a really good guy.
His son had a good head on his shoulders, too. All of those kids did….they all were likely trashed, not wearing seatbelts….it’s sad. Yeah yeah he isn’t a child….but at age 20 we all think we are invincible.
Two dui’s before the age of 20, works at a restaurant and didn’t have a license. That’s your term of a great kid huh
Luke 6:42
42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Before you make judgements on the parents pointing a finger at their failures there are three fingers pointing back at you. Walk in their shoes before you speak. James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
How stupid are these two African-Americans to show up to court asking for their drinking buddy to convalesce in his own bed?
Whoever bought the alcohol for under 21 Pierangeli may be heading for charges also.
Lay low dummies!
Quincey Adams 21, and Alex Wajawhat the fuck, 22.
Funny, they don’t look like founding fathers or pollocks; but they are old enough to buy liquor.
Maybe they can share a cell?
Check the liquor store video KPD.
They were all close friends, do we really need to bring up race. As it has nothing to do with it. They were friends not because of race but they all cared for one another. Sad all the way around for this tragedy. And they realize it could have been any one of them driving that night. I’m sure AJay would do the same for each and everyone of his friends too
Yeah racism for sure. I’m quick to call out all the hood ass black people but these two kids were NOT those types.
They do not see race which I find interesting. It is very tragic.
why do we have to say “african americans” sounds pretty racist to me you could’ve used these two men or boys as a reference as talking about them.
The question is how can Gravely, TJ Binger and the gang who can’t shoot straight screw this up.
I bet that girl’s parents wish they had not been so inclusive and diverse right about now.
Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
By now it should be painfully obvious that the god of your Bible seems to have the sole purpose of non-involvement.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
Psalms 34:15-18
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
You should also question the Kenosha DA for seemingly throwing the book at this kid but fucking dismissing and pleading down all these charges against hood people and shitheads regularly featured on this site. Unfortunately this kid is the wrong color in Kenosha for the DA’s office.
I just want to know who gave him that prop of a neck brace. It doesn’t even fit!
LOL! Good catch, just noticed that it doesn’t appear to be very supportive for a broken neck.
The kid killed two of his friends and injured two others that apparently were athletes and now may have lifelong effects from injuries sustained in crash…. he needs to do the right thing. IMO.. either just plead guilty or try to plea for some type of prison recovery program (he obviously has issues with alcohol). Due the time sentenced, and then try to live a productive life in honor of the two lives that were lost.
HANGOUT ??? I think they need to find out who served these underage kids,
this is sad for all families, but they all had choices that night and the wrong choices were made. Many lives have changed and are going to continue to change. This kid is going to prison. I wish that on no one. but there was life lost at the hands of someone else. How ever i have gut feeling that someone is being protected here the person that served and hostesses this ” hang out”?
That person is Allie stone
She’s the one who provided the alcohol
She’s the one who provided the alcohol
Hebrews 4:13
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Passengers “blowing kisses” clearly weren’t telling him to slow down. Any “cheerleaders” instigating the drivers irrational behavior should not be overlooked as an accessory.
They all got in the car with a drunk friend. I don’t see the crime other than the OWI.