PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Kenosha man accused of leading Pleasant Prairie Police on a reckless high-speed chase that ended with a car full of Tremper High School students being struck on their way to homecoming photos has now been officially charged — and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Prosecutors filed 12 criminal counts against 39-year-old Gil O. Melendez, including seven counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, two counts of fleeing an officer, possession of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and retail theft. If convicted of all charges, Melendez faces more than 100 years in prison, according to the criminal complaint.
Melendez remains in custody out of state, and it is currently unknown when he will be transported back to Kenosha County for an initial court appearance. A warrant will remain active until then.
The charges stem from the October 11 pursuit, when police say Melendez fled from officers on Sheridan Road at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour, even after his tires were destroyed by spike strips. Moments later, he allegedly lost control, slammed into a power pole, and struck a Jeep Cherokee carrying five Tremper High School students dressed up for homecoming pictures.
Those students reported head and neck injuries and told investigators they were terrified they might die. All were treated and released — a relief to families who have described the crash as a near tragedy.
Police say they found 4.2 grams of cocaine and drug paraphernalia in Melendez’s vehicle. He also had an active parole warrant for a prior burglary conviction at the time of the incident.
The crash has sparked new debate over police pursuit policies in Kenosha County — when they save lives, and when they put them at greater risk. Some argue this chase should have been called off earlier since officers already knew Melendez’s identity. Others say letting a fleeing suspect continue at extreme speeds is equally dangerous.
One thing is not in dispute: the community is grateful that none of the Tremper students were killed.
Kenosha County Eye will continue monitoring this case and will report when Melendez is scheduled to appear in court.
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15 Responses
Send him away for at least 65 years!
Parole after 60 years served possible through review of panel board!
I’m glad everyone is ok. It definitely should’ve been called off, the car was registered to his girlfriend. & it’s not fair she’s without a vehicle. My heart is with her, the Tremper students & him & his family
We all know that cross-eyed piece of filth will never
be held fully accountable. I have lost faith in our judicial system.
Speaking of chases. Looks like bro’s eye is chasing his other eye
I hope people are familiar with how Milwaukee hired a, “no chase” guy from CT to be their chief. Didn’t take more than a few months for every KIA thief to learn when the blue & reds popped up in the rear mirror, all they had to do was mash the go pedal down and hope the intersections ahead were good to them. We don’t need that here. That Chief is long gone from MKE with his second retirement check, but Milwaukee is stuck with a “culture” of running regardless of the possible charges.
…… the mke city council is an even BIGGER mess.
The place will never straighten out unless, perhaps, Trump goes in and does it with
the guard and military.
Why is he incarcerated out of state? If I recall this case correctly, wasn’t he flighted to Milwaukee for medical care?
Another illegal by chance?
Trash.
The 13% cause 98% of crime … the liberal judges should be held accountable for him or them I should say
let’s hope he gets a strict judge who will put him away for life
19th century farm equipment not working out
Big braids on Gil O. Melendez I think that this hairstyle indicates criminal activities.
Nortside your special as hell a hairstyle doesn’t indicate anything!!!!! There are plenty of people who wear their hair like that and are not criminals. Stop racially profiling every one just because of their hairstyle or color of their skin. GOD PUT US ALL HERE TOGETHER GOOD, BAD OR WHATEVER INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT PEOPLE BECAUSE OF A HAIR STYLE OR COLOR OF SKIN HOW ABOUT THIS PERSON IS JUST A BAD PERSON THERE ARE PLENTY OF WHITE PEOPLE THAT ARE BAD…. LOOK AT SERIAL KILLERS WHAT COLOR ARE MOST OF THEMMM…..WHITE!!!!! BAD PEOPLE ARE JUST BAD PEOPLE PERIOD NOT MATTER WHAT THEIR SKIN COLOR THEY ARE JUST BAD PEOPLE…..