(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Pleasant Prairie man sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing two of his friends and seriously injuring two others in a horrific drunken-driving crash has lost his appeal challenging evidence obtained by police shortly after the deadly collision. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of Ajay Gregory Pierangeli, 24, who pleaded guilty to two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in connection with the July 28, 2023, crash that killed Dylan Zamora and Jenna Barrette.
In a decision released Wednesday, October 7, 2026, a three-judge appellate panel rejected Pierangeli’s argument that police violated his constitutional rights when they ordered a blood draw at the hospital without first obtaining a search warrant. The decision leaves intact the circuit court’s ruling allowing the blood evidence to be used against him. The appellate panel consisted of Judges Maria S. Lazar, Mark D. Gundrum and Chris M. LoCoco.
Pierangeli was sentenced on July 11, 2025, by Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Milisauskas to 15 years of initial confinement for each death, with the sentences running consecutively. That means Pierangeli must serve a total of 30 years in prison, followed by another 30 years of extended supervision. He received credit for 714 days already spent in custody and will be approaching 50 years old when he completes his initial prison sentence, assuming he serves the full term with the applicable credit.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The deadly crash occurred at approximately 3:25 a.m. on July 28, 2023, when Pierangeli drove a red Dodge Dakota off 75th Street and directly into the Play It Again Sports building at 4017 75th Street in Kenosha. The violent collision killed Zamora and Barrette, both passengers in the truck, and seriously injured two other friends. Alex Wajerski suffered a fractured skull, while Quincy Hanson sustained a fractured rib and collapsed lung.
(Legacy.com)
Pierangeli also suffered serious injuries, including a ruptured lung, and was unconscious following the collision. Investigators determined that the truck had been traveling at approximately 50 mph shortly before the crash in an area with a 30 mph speed limit. Information recovered from the vehicle indicated that its accelerator was fully depressed immediately before impact.
A hospital blood test taken for medical purposes revealed Pierangeli had a blood alcohol concentration of .282, more than three times Wisconsin’s legal limit of .08. The crash was not Pierangeli’s first encounter with drunken-driving laws. He had previously been convicted of operating while intoxicated in December 2019 following an August 2019 rollover crash in Pleasant Prairie.
Appeals Court Rejects Blood Draw Challenge
The appeal centered on a second blood sample taken from Pierangeli at the hospital at the direction of law enforcement. Unlike the initial blood draw performed by medical personnel for treatment purposes, the second sample was obtained without a warrant. Pierangeli’s attorney argued that officers lacked probable cause to believe he had been driving while intoxicated and that no emergency justified bypassing the usual requirement for a search warrant.
According to the appellate decision, police had not personally smelled alcohol on Pierangeli or received information from someone else that he appeared intoxicated before ordering the blood draw. The defense argued that the circumstances did not establish sufficient grounds for a warrantless search. The appellate judges disagreed, pointing to testimony describing Pierangeli’s erratic driving and the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the crash.
A witness reported that Pierangeli had been swerving several times and traveling at a high rate of speed before the collision. The witness also described a passenger hanging out of the vehicle’s window and blowing kisses shortly before the crash. The judges considered the timing of the collision, shortly after bars typically close, along with the severity of the crash, which sent the truck deep into a concrete commercial building.
Taken together, the appellate court concluded, those circumstances provided probable cause to believe Pierangeli had been operating while intoxicated. The judges rejected the argument that officers needed to smell alcohol or receive a direct report of intoxication before they could reasonably suspect drunken driving under the circumstances presented.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The judges also addressed the emergency circumstances surrounding the blood draw. Pierangeli was unconscious and receiving treatment for critical injuries, and officers were concerned that medical intervention, including a possible blood transfusion, could alter evidence of his blood alcohol concentration. An officer testified that obtaining a warrant would have taken approximately 25 to 30 minutes while Pierangeli was undergoing emergency treatment.
The appellate panel relied on the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Mitchell v. Wisconsin, which addresses warrantless blood testing of unconscious suspected drunken drivers. Under that precedent, the court explained, an unconscious driver challenging such a blood draw must establish particular circumstances that would defeat the usual justification for obtaining the sample without a warrant.
Because hospital personnel had already independently drawn blood for medical purposes, the appellate court determined that Pierangeli could not satisfy the first requirement for overcoming that justification. The judges therefore did not need to decide the second requirement. The court affirmed the circuit court’s denial of Pierangeli’s motion to suppress the evidence, rejecting the challenge that formed the basis of his appeal.
Families Described Devastating Losses at Sentencing
The appellate ruling comes more than a year after an emotional sentencing hearing during which relatives described the devastation caused by the deaths of Zamora and Barrette. Dylan Zamora’s grandfather, Jon Heinz, told the court that although he never had biological children of his own, Dylan was the closest thing he had to a son. He recalled watching Dylan grow up, sharing important moments throughout his life and receiving the devastating news that Dylan had been killed.
Heinz described the regret of never getting another opportunity to say goodbye and the enormous emptiness left by his grandson’s death. “He was my everything,” Heinz told the court. He remembered Dylan as a kindhearted young man who cared deeply about other people, including those who were less fortunate.
Jenna Barrette’s mother, Tammy Barrett, described her daughter as “pure sunshine,” a young woman who was funny, caring and deeply loved by those around her. Jenna attended Carthage College and hoped to become a nurse. She had a close relationship with her sister, Jordan, and was supposed to serve as her maid of honor. More than 1,300 people attended Jenna’s funeral, according to her mother.
During the hearing, Barrett challenged the prison recommendation made by prosecutors, who had requested 12 years of initial confinement for each death. “I will never understand how my daughter’s life is only worth 12 years,” she said. Her remarks underscored the family’s belief that no prison sentence could adequately account for the life Jenna lost or the future she would never experience.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Assistant District Attorney Zachary Brost described the case as gut-wrenching and urged the court to impose consecutive prison sentences totaling 24 years of initial confinement. Brost emphasized the extreme level of intoxication, the dangerous driving and Pierangeli’s previous drunken-driving conviction. Prosecutors argued that the seriousness of the offenses and the deaths of two young people warranted a lengthy prison sentence.
Defense attorney Eric Olson requested seven years for each death, or 14 years of initial confinement altogether. Olson argued that the crash was not intentional and raised the possibility that wet road conditions and hydroplaning contributed to the collision. He also emphasized Pierangeli’s acceptance of responsibility, his youth and positive aspects of his background.
Pierangeli addressed the court before sentencing, apologizing to the families and acknowledging his responsibility for what happened. “I failed as a friend. I failed as a brother. I failed as a son,” he said. He asked the court for mercy while recognizing the terrible consequences of his actions and the suffering inflicted on the victims’ families.
Judge Milisauskas ultimately imposed a sentence substantially longer than either side requested. He emphasized that the crash had ended two separate young lives, depriving both victims of futures that could have included careers, marriages, children and grandchildren. The judge also stressed the importance of protecting the public and deterring others from making the same deadly decision.
Pierangeli initially faced additional charges related to the injuries suffered by the two surviving passengers. Those counts were dismissed but read into the record as part of his guilty pleas to the two homicide charges. The October 7 appellate decision does not alter Pierangeli’s sentence, and his convictions and the circuit court’s ruling on the blood evidence remain in place. Pierangeli may still seek review by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
(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)
26 Responses
POS
You must be perfect and have never made any mistakes in your life. Yes he made the worst mistake possible and will live with that for the rest of his life but he does not deserve to be called names.
MISTAKES. More than one. Most people learn from their mistakes. He did not.
People have the right to be angry over his inability to straighten out his life. And that those around him didn’t step up and intervene.
He deserves his sentence. It might save some lives to have him locked up. Now he faces either turning into a grown up while incarcerated or filing empty appeals and not taking responsibility.
Not a mistake, he drank and chose to get behind the wheel as he did countless times before. This time ended in mommy and daddy were not being able to fix it.
Yeah, thats going to happen. I’m sure he will hear worse than that Where he is going. Get used to it.
I don’t know about you, but none of my mistakes have ever killed anyone. You either are related to this sicko, or just don’t actually care about victims. It is SOOOO easy to get a ride from a sober driver. I have never paid more than $25 for an uber, if you can’t afford that YOU CANT AFFORD THE ALCOHOL!
Stop making excuses for selfish people. Actually be a decent person and put the care where it belongs, with the victims and victims families. Drunk drivers, especially ones who kill people, are just like child lovers. They never learn, they’re selfish, they ruin lives forever and they don’t care about anything but themselves.
I don’t see any remorse from this dude, just fear for his behind.
Well said, ….the sober truth.
A mistake was the FIRST time. A CHOICE was the second time. Didn’t learn from the mistake, and now he’s going to pay for the CHOICE. That’s JUSTICE.
I hope the youth of Kenosha will learn from this tragic mistake! No one wins in this situation!
Anyone’s first OWI is a mistake. A second OWI shows that nothing was learned from the experience. It’s obvious with the light sentences, low or no cash bail given to repeat OWI offenders, our judicial system isn’t interested in preventing death or injury. They wait until there’s a death or tragedy to screw someone to the wall. It gives the illusion that they care for victims and that they’re “tough” on crime. Meanwhile, catch & release Kellum and his kind continue doing business as usual.
That said, WI is one of the most lenient states in the nation regarding DUI penalties. This case is unique because the defendant is from a connected family.
I don’t understand how you sickos can say “it’s just a mistake”??? Not drunk driving is probably the easiest thing I’ve ever done, easier than taking a piss. Especially in this day and age.
The truth is you people don’t actually see the victims as human. You don’t have to see the mutilated bodies. You don’t have to listen to the victims die in a hospital room, like their loved ones do. You don’t care because it’s not someone YOU personally care about. But you get to see these selfish sickos cry, and pretend it’s out of regret instead of fear for their buttholes.
I pray to God that every drunk driver dies more afraid and in more pain than their victims did. May they all rot in Hell.
Cowards. All of you that have the nerve to speak on someone you don’t even know. Regardless 3 lives were lost. No matter what way you put it. The dead aren’t coming back, but they were the boys friends for Christ sake. It wasn’t a mistake because he’s been warned before but it wasn’t intentional either. For you to sit here and think this young man had any malicious intention behind his actions you’re sick and you need to find some help. They all decided to be in that vehicle nobody once spoke up to get that man out of the driver seat. Someone was comfortable enough to be blowing kisses out the window so nobody was objecting to his driving. Multiple ways to get home by the way (uber, Lyft, etc.) and yet they got back in the vehicle with him could’ve been just him in that accident. Let’s stop pointing fingers and let’s have everyone take some responsibility here. RIP and all that but be real. Sounds like corrupt justice in a corrupt city within a fucked state with one of the highest OWI/DUI arrest rates. Buddy wasn’t the problem here. Someone said “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” I’d say that fits perfectly. Nobody here is innocent because nobody that night was asking the right questions. I mean I’m not letting my friend who at the time is a minor pick me up let alone drive me anywhere knowing he’s under the influence. I guess common sense isn’t a thing in Wisconsin and let’s not act like some of the folks calling him a POS in here is just another OWI/DUI that hasn’t been caught yet. Give the man his peace and let the dead rest. It’s a tragedy. Sounds like a lot of small minded people in a small minded town with hate in their hearts. Hate to see it.
Thank you for being an adult to these misbehaving children (maturity wise) hiding behind their computers and phones.
You sound like a idiot!
You use the term “Cowards” loosely. By your tone, one could infer that you know defendant personally (Eye had a link to the letters written to the court pre-trial) and possibly have a multiple OWI/DUI conviction record yourself or are a family member of someone who does. One does not need to know someone personally to speak about their specific behavior that caused a criminal act that resulted in a tragedy or their background as reported. The defendant was a local bully whom was excused and covered for prior. So there is no issue that some folks would conclude rationally that he is a POS that finally met the consequences of his behaviors and actions. Nevertheless, the pics were revealing of the depth of the defendant’s anguish at the end of the life he likely thought he would have and its abrupt re-direction, which may well have been fueled by his elite attorney’s confidence that he could finagle a conviction reversal on procedural technicalities.
If this young man was playing Russian Roulette with a loaded gun and accidentally killed 2 of his friends and seriously hurt 2 more, he would be charged with MANSLAUGHTER and given life sentences.
We don’t treat alcohol related deaths with the same severity and we should
If this young man was playing Russian Roulette with a loaded gun and accidentally killed 2 of his friends and seriously hurt 2 more, he would be charged with MANSLAUGHTER and given life sentences.
We don’t treat alcohol related deaths with the same severity and we should
Every OWI person needs to be forced to stare at those four photos for the term of their incarceration. I’ve never had an OWI, but the anguish expressed in that foolish young man’s photos hit home even for me.
A privileged life wasted because no one cared enough to tether him to reality.
The other two photos, capture young lives lost, taken by a supposed friend. Futures, dreams, families, …all crushed because of the illusion of infallibility.
Poor baby he wants together out of prison.WHY?? To kill more people!!
Heartbreaking all around.. I am shocked that he received 30 years in prison for a crime that was not intentional… No matter how much negligence he is guilty of it doesn’t seem right or just. As he sits in prison there will be many cold blooded killers convicted of 2nd degree homicide that come and go before he gets out…
Very true. There are some crimes that are Scarlet Letter level that rise above Murder 2 in our society today. DUI caused deaths and sex offenses are the Scarlet Letter crimes today that can generate a Murder 1 equivalent sentence. A potential reason is that in DUI fatalities and sex offenses, the victims are truly innocent. In the cases of 1st & 2nd degree homicide, in many instances the victims are not exactly innocent and some got the comeuppance of their actions one notch too much.
Actually, you should use your brain. Victims families need HARSHER punishments against the morons who drunk drive.
Letting them off easy ruins more lives. It doesn’t teach these freaks anything, it definitely won’t teach this repeat loser anything.
When you lose someone to a drunk driver, have them decapitated, know they died slow and afraid, or watch your once full of life loved one be basically bed bound with eyes full of NOTHING, you can preach your “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind waaahh” bullshit.
All the thumbs down must be from his loser family.9
There are multiple failures here.
First, Pierangeli chose to drink. Then he chose to drive — after consuming alcohol. With a prior OWI conviction under his belt he should have known better. There is no excuse for his behavior. Yes, I get that alcoholism is a disease but many alcoholics don’t drive after drinking. It was his choice. A bad choice. An inexcusable choice. And a choice that cost human life.
Second, we continue to have double standards about alcohol. It’s celebrated in Wisconsin. Alcohol is pushed by advertising and social pressure. What good does it do? When a tragedy happens, we bow our heads and then go back to the bars. Our culture of drinking has changed, of course, but it’s still strong. And while many people can have an occasional drink with no ramifications there are many whose lives have been impaired. This is not an excuse for Pierangeli but we can’t be blind to our alcohol culture.
The family of this loser are also losers.