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.

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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:

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Judge: I have to look at the severity of the offense.

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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?

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Melowski: Yes. But that’s punishment.

Judge: (Sternly) I understand that. So don’t lecture me on what I can’t consider.

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“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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Here is our other coverage of this incident: