(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
A Kenosha Judge today denied a motion to lower the cash bail for a Pleasant Prairie man whose drunken action killed two of his friends and severely injured two others, according to court documents. This was his attorney Dennis Melowski second attempt to have the man, who already had one OWI conviction, released. The case was recently assigned to Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Milisauskas. The previous judge, Gerad Dougvillo, denied the same request.
Today, as Judge Milisauskas was issuing his ruling on the motion to lower bail, Melowski interrupted him, one thing most Kenosha County lawyers know not to do. This was the following exchange:
Judge: I have to look at the severity of the offense.
Melowski: (Interrupting Judge)The severity of the offense, yes, but in terms of punishment and things like that, bail is not supposed to be a punishment.
Judge: You don’t think I can consider the potential penalty?
Melowski: Yes. But that’s punishment.
Judge: (Sternly) I understand that. So don’t lecture me on what I can’t consider.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“I’m not going to risk the public to release him. That’s one of my responsibilities. I take an oath to protect the public. It’s not going to happen. Your bond motion is denied,” said Judge Milisauskas. The victim’s families let out sighs of relief when they heard those words.
(Legacy.com)
The families of Jenna Barrette and Dylan Zamora tearfully pleaded with the judge to deny the bail modification. Melowski, as he has done in the past, called the deceased family members liars. Durangos owner Joseph Passarelli wrote a letter to the court seemingly supporting his release, saying, “If Ajay is released, he has a position at DeRango’s of Kenosha as a pizza/cook full time.” During the last bail motion, Melowski cited a different restaurant that Ajay could work for should he be released. That restaurant owner told KCE that he never spoke to Ajay’s attorney.
Meloski made a motion to suppress the blood evidence that showed that Pierangeli was driving four other souls while driving with a blood alcohol content of almost four times the legal limit – meaning, he doesn’t want the jury to know just how drunk Pierangeli was.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
The crash occurred on July 28, 2023. At approximately 3:05 am in a 2008 Red Dodge Dakota occupied by five people. The truck crashed into Play It Again Sports located at 4017 75th St in Kenosha. The driver was identified as then-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. 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. They noted the truck went airborne.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Zach Brost and Attorney Melowski questioned three police officers and a firefighter/paramedic about the “exigent blood draw” performed on Ajay. Melowski seemed to argue that the police should have applied for a warrant instead of aiding the five wounded occupants.
Judge Milisauskas will issue a ruling at a later date, but he did say, “No matter what happens on this motion to suppress, I think there’s plenty of evidence in this case regarding what happened here.”
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.”
KCE visited a memorial for Jenna Barrette by Kenosha’s Harbor.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Here is our other coverage of this incident:
29 Responses
Any update on the Mom and her scam?
Momma bear has a court date coming up too — November 1st.
Off to prison for 70 yrs.
Pierangeli/Rizzo family seem to think laws/rules do not apply to them. It is just so sad. The complete disregard for the families of the deceased is disgusting. Ajay is alive. Jenna and Dylan were not so lucky.
Agreed. I heard that Cousin Rizzo is ruining St. Joe’s. I believe his wife was one of the family members who wrote a letter begging the judge for leniency regarding Ajay. Yet, Rizzo seemingly has no issue bullying perfectly good St. Joe’s families if they aren’t part of his circle and/or legacy families. There are a lot of cover ups over there. Just ask around. I am sure another KCE story is coming in the future.
Whomever supplied and served them all the alcohol needs to be arrested as well.
Her name is Allie Stone
Seriously? How is there no charges! It cost the lives of innocent people!! WTF Kenosha DA!
She didn’t provide the alcohol. She was underage at the time. It was just her house.
And her daughter was their
That is untrue. You should be very careful with your words as you could be sued for defamation of character.
Maybe you should discuss why you never even raised your own son and why none of his friends even knew he had a “ mom “.
Anyone else CCAP Chad or Erin Zamora? Real credible citizens!
Yes , and who was it ??
I’m Dylan’s uncle and this accident has devastated our families. doing and Jenna did not need to leave this world like that because of AJ’s poor decision to drive that night I don’t know why the one in the car that wasn’t drinking wasn’t driving it’s weird nor why did they call anybody or why didn’t the person’s house they were at take all the keys and hide them that night why weren’t other people charged. Maybe charges will come later..
I’m Dylan’s uncle and this accident has devastated our families. Dylan and Jenna did not need to leave this world like that because of AJ’s poor decision to drive that night I don’t know why the one in the car that wasn’t drinking wasn’t driving it’s weird nor why did they call anybody or why didn’t the person’s house they were at take all the keys and hide them that night why weren’t other people charged. Maybe charges will come later..
Why isn’t the person who supplied alcohol charged!!! What a joke who ever it was should be in jail
That is untrue. You should be very careful with your words as you could be sued for defamation of character.
Maybe you should discuss why you never even raised your own son Erin and why none of his friends even knew he had a “ mom “.
I’m so sorry this devastating accident took the lives of such precious young people. The same thing happened to my nephew, everyone in the car died (my nephew was in the backseat; only 18.) The heartbreak is unbearable at times even now over a decade later. I hope justice and time heal your families. With Compassion, Anjanette (Glidden) Sorensen.
Ajay should be fine in prison, he has that neat tattoo on his arm so he is tough.
Thank you for your accurate reporting. It is time for Ajay to plead guilty and not put the families of Jenna and Dylan through any more.
The mother of the defendant Amber Fierke attacked Dylan’s grandfather again after the hearing outside on the courthouse steps swearing at him until a deputy told her to shut her mouth and leave. There is a definite problem with this family when they keep blaming and attacking the victim’s families when their son is the one who killed Dylan and Jenna.
Weird the parents at the house this drinking was taking place at aren’t being charged at all. Heard drinking parties were common at this house.
Weird the parents at the house this drinking was taking place at aren’t being charged at all. Heard drinking parties were common at this house.
What house? No parents reside there
I sympathize with this ‘killer’ as he is a product of shit parents who themselves are alcoholic drug abusers. Not to mention he the community of snobbish Kenosha Italians who believe they are all above the law. What do people expect? Maybe Amber should start giving out $20 handjobs on the corner instead of embezzling 6 figures from her previous employer.
You just painted the entire Kenosha Italian community as snobbish. You sound like a delight.
Oh they truly are, there is an old saying regarding Racine and Kenosha, ask around. Having lived in both I’ll take Racine over Kenosha any day. Also, definitely not hard to paint a picture when you have a stencil, so wake the fuck up.
Mother comes to the jail to pick up property regularly even though it’s against the departments policies. Calls the sheriff to complain must be nice to break more rules because entitlement and knowing the sheriff gave her the opportunity to get her way.
carli will get him she may actually win this one because it’s an open and shut case and then act like she all that .