(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Nearly two years after a drunk driving crash killed two college students and shattered two families, Ajay Gregory Pierangeli was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison for the deaths of Dylan Zamora and Jenna Barrette.
Kenosha County Circuit Judge Anthony Milisauskas handed down the sentence in a packed courtroom, ordering 15 years of initial confinement for each victim—Zamora and Barrette—to be served consecutively, followed by 30 years of extended supervision, 15 years per count.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Pierangeli, 22, pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Two additional charges related to injuries suffered by other passengers were dismissed but read in for sentencing.
The courtroom was filled with friends and family members, many of whom wept as Dylan’s grandfather and Jenna’s mother gave powerful victim impact statements.
“He was my everything.”
Jon Heinz, Dylan’s grandfather, said he never had children of his own, but Dylan—his first grandchild—was the closest thing he had to a son.
“He was the greatest thing to ever come into my life,” Heinz said through tears. “He was the family rock. I was there for his first words, his first steps, his first time riding a bike. I wanted to be there when he graduated, when he had kids of his own. I’ll never get that now.”
He recalled the night of the crash in vivid detail, receiving a phone call that Dylan had died and letting out a scream he said still haunts him. “It sucked the soul right out of me.”
Heinz said Pierangeli’s actions on July 28, 2023, were not just tragic but arrogant. “A good friend would have said, ‘I’m too wasted to drive.’ He didn’t. And now my grandson is gone.”
“She was pure sunshine.”
Tammy Barrett, Jenna’s mother, described her daughter as “pure sunshine,” the kind of person who made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room.
“She never said goodbye without saying ‘I love you,’” Barrett told the court. “She was supposed to be the maid of honor in her sister’s wedding. We lost her laughter, her future, and our future grandchildren. There are no more memories.”
Barrett expressed frustration that prosecutors had recommended 12 years for each victim. “I will never understand how my daughter’s life is only worth 12 years,” she said. “Ajay will walk out of prison someday. Jenna and Dylan never will.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Prosecutor Calls Case ‘Gut-Wrenching’
Assistant District Attorney Zachary Brost described the crash as one of the most emotional cases of his career.
“This wasn’t just dangerous—it was deadly,” he told the court. “And this wasn’t even the defendant’s first OWI. His BAC was nearly .23. He hit the accelerator instead of the brake and crashed into a building at 50 miles an hour.”
Brost said police bodycam video showed a horrific scene and that officers were “flabbergasted” upon arrival. “There were five people in that truck. Only one was conscious. The others were already gone or clinging to life.”
He emphasized that Pierangeli made a choice that no one else did. “There’s no allegation that anyone was forced into that truck. But only one person took the keys. And that person had a duty not just to his friends, but to the public.”
Defense Highlights Acceptance and Character
Defense attorney Eric Olson said Pierangeli took full responsibility from the start and declined to challenge the case at trial.
“AJ made the mature decision not to contest this,” Olson said. “He said from the beginning, ‘This is all my fault.’ That kind of acceptance is rare.”
Olson pushed back against claims that Pierangeli was arrogant or reckless by nature. “Everyone at the party before the accident was there because of AJ. He worked at the Boys & Girls Club, won a Bully Buster award in high school, had no serious criminal history, and helped kids.”
Olson noted that Pierangeli attended Bible study twice weekly in jail and asked the judge for mercy, suggesting a 14-year sentence instead of 30.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Judge Cites Aggravating Factors in 30-Year Sentence
Judge Milisauskas said he considered the gravity of the crime, Pierangeli’s prior OWI, the high speed of the crash, and the devastating loss to the victims’ families.
“You drove into a building. Two people died,” the judge said. “There has to be a serious consequence. Each life is precious. And your decision took that from two families forever.”
Milisauskas acknowledged Pierangeli’s remorse but said deterrence, public safety, and justice required a strong sentence. “This isn’t just a tragic accident. This is a preventable one. You made a decision. And others are paying for it with their lives.”
The judge sentenced Pierangeli to 15 years of initial confinement for each victim—served consecutively—and 15 years of extended supervision per count, for a total of 30 years in prison and 30 years on paper.
Ajay Gregory Pierangeli, 22, of Pleasant Prairie In Court Today
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Apology from Defendant
Pierangeli addressed the court and the families directly.
“I failed as a friend. I failed as a brother. I failed as a son,” he said. “I would give anything to bring Dylan and Jenna back. I hate myself every day.”
He added, “If prison brings healing, even in the slightest, that is the good I hope for. I am so sorry. I will do whatever I can to atone.”
Looking Ahead
Pierangeli was credited with 714 days already served. If he serves the full 30 years of confinement, he will be nearly 50 years old when released.
Under Wisconsin law, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle is a Class C felony punishable by up to 40 years per count. While the state recommended 24 years total, Judge Milisauskas imposed a more sever punishment than the plea deal—15 years per victim.
“This sentence won’t bring Dylan and Jenna back,” Milisauskas said. “But it will send a message—and protect the community from something like this happening again.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(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.”
(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)
55 Responses
Jenna was a very special young lady. I did not know Dylan.
This man surely deserves punishment, but the other 4 made their own bad decisions that night. I think the 24 years would have been more appropriate.
Thats your opinion
How clever. Who else’s opinion would he/she be expressing?
Ajay’s Kenosha extended Italian family-network is certainly quite the group. Ajay, a year younger than Dylan, beat Dylan up bad enough a year prior puttlng him in the hospital. That Dylan continued with “bad hang” Ajay, including his clownish drunken behavior immediately prior to his instant death illustrated either/or very compromised judgment and/or or some form of Stockholm psychological syndrome connection to Ajay. Nevertheless, it’s very regrettable that Dylan, who had a future, lost his life. Kudos to Judge Milasauskas for imposing the 30 year sentence, ensuring proper time in the WI Big House Cooler for the young Italian bully. Should Ajay survive his sentence, hopefully he will be converted to evolve into becoming a spiritually wise man upon his release.
How is being drunk clownish behavior your weird af
Yes, the mistake from Jenna of picking Ajay out of the group to drive after testing him by making him “walk the plank” & Dylan by hanging out the window blowing kisses at the ambulance they’ve brought up in court multiple times (talk about a distraction while trying to drive your friends home). Quincy & Alex for getting in the car & letting their friends also get in it, Ajay has accepted responsibility as shown in his moving statement today, what about the others?
Ajay is the only one who was driving. He is guilty of murder. Period. Go fuck yourself.
Doesn’t murder require intent and even premeditation? I think you might be posting on the wrong article.
Please be quiet
Quit blaming the victims!
Isn’t there a concept called contributory negligence? Spreading the blame seems reasonable here.
Go fuck yourself Birdwatcher sick of your bullshit comments We
Got justice today for Dylan amd Jenna!
And I’m so glad you did!
How is someone doing something not in the front at all, how could that ever distract him:..fyi that wasn’t near where Ajay crashed!!!!
The only
Mistake we made is letting
Our sweet Dylan around kenoshas white Italian trash!
RIP where you there for every court hearing? I think the Judge was being lenient with 30 years. Ajay got behind the wheel, not the others, Ajay was arrogant enough to think he could drive drunk, and crash into a building while doing 50+ mph, hitting the accelerator to the floor instead of the brake. Don’t even think that blaming the dead deserves a lighter. sentence. Until you hear all the facts, don’t make ignorant comments.
Kevin, thank you for factual reporting, and being at the courthouse today.
Were you there the night it happened? You really have no more to contribute than RIP.
30 Years !! Kid didn’t see that coming.
But he got it. Every person that knows him or the ones who died can think twice about driving drunk.
That’s why I’m happy the judge gave him consecutive sentences.
Though it really should be life !
He took life. We should take his
20yrs would have been harsh, 15 total probably fair. Didn’t follow this case, but how is a DWI first offense not even a felony, yet when death occurs you get 30yrs? Seems like intentional homicide levels of punishment.
You don’t know the facts it was his 2nd dui
I’m sure it was all about the last name.
There’s no excuse for committing murder. Why is anyone even doubting this?!? The blood alcohol level of anyone not driving isn’t an issue. They didn’t commit a crime.😡. What the f***. DON’t Drink and drive!!!!!!! There’s no way excuse for the stupidity
I agree with this punishment he should have never been driving ANYONE..when drunk and being his second offense is just ridiculous…the laws are so bad with OWIs that people think they can keep getting away with it…bc they CAN and then finally something bad happens and it’s awful….I also think that there is some fault with those who also got in the car with AJ we reach out kids to never get in the car with a drunk driver EVER…it’s not a hard thing to do they have a job to do too by keeping themselves and their friends safe.
This whole deal is tragic. Such great lives lost. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones, and I hope the family of the family of Ajay realizes their part in this mess. I hope they realize that he is still alive, something others do not have that convince. The loss is real, and so are the consequences.
Judges who accept and then exceed plea bargains are just asking for more trials. I hope the defense attorney on this case remembers that next time the state offers to recommend X years in exchange for a plea in front of this judge. Make them all pay with a jury trial. The final sentence wouldn’t have been any worse.
This judge is retiring, so he does not care.
The rest of the judges who play for the press had better be ready to work. Lots of week long trials coming; cancel your Wednesday golf leagues.
Who said he dosent care I think he made a clear message to anyone drinking amd driving!
Who bought the alcohol? Where were they drinking?
It dosent matter who bought the alcohol it is illegal to drink and drive especially your sending offense!
This isn’t the FIRST time he violated the law regarding alcohol use, this is not even the SECOND time he committed an alcohol or drug related violation and was caught (seems nobody looked hard enough to see there was indeed a second citation issued for underage alcohol use which resulted in a forfeiture and an education opportunity), this is the THIRD OFFENSE (that he was caught for) and sadly, the very thing many of us tried desperately to prevent. He was warned, he had every chance imaginable, this sentence does not serve justice. He should be incarcerated the maximum amount of time allowed by law- he used up his “second chances” a long time ago.
I’m so sorry to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims. I’m so sorry this happened, you’ll be in my prayers forever.
Ajay- you deserve every moment of your prison sentence. You were warned, you were offered every chance under the sun to get help, and you rejected those offers. You manipulated the system at every stop, and your parents did you no favors by attempting to mitigate, minimize, and control the narrative every time there were consequences to your actions. This is what happens when you choose to ignore those trying to help you. See ya in 30 buddy- we’ll be waiting for your call, again.
PS- the next time you feel compelled to complain about “all the hoops you have to jump through” and “how much it costs” and about “how hard everyone makes it” to resolve an OWI – I hope you think about this case and consider that every single instance of impaired driving can have this exact same deadly result- some people just get lucky and only get arrested….
Erin Zamora,
Aren’t you the addict who lost custody of your son when he was 7 years old? Your poor old mother had to raise him.
Both of these kids would be alive if they were wearing their seat belts.
The crash was through a glass window, not a brick wall.
Go fuck your self
I’m pretty sure I saw bricks laying on the ground. Hitting something while going 50mph is an impact as if he was doing 100mph.
You are absolute trash.
I’m sorry but who are you ??
you know nothing about our family
and she will forever be more of a mother then you or whoever this we ever be thank you !!!
Kenosha County Case Number 2023CT000317 State of Wisconsin vs. Erin M. Zamora
Get a license!
Kenosha County Case Number 2019CM000221 State of Wisconsin vs. Erin M. Zamora
Stop stealing from stores!
You people are sickening! What happened to her son is NOT her fault it’s Ajay’s!! Have some respect for the deceased for christ sake!
It is her partly the mom’s fault, though. She seems like a POS given her CCAP.
Like, how many kids does she have with different guys? Driving after revocation, retail theft…..like yeah, there is way more to the story here.
Where was his father?
Tragic situation but there is lots of blame here…but let’s be honest, those having kids at like 20 and that whole generation now….it’s not surprising.
she’s amazing once you get too know her
Let’s stop leaving hate comments on someone who’s still grieving her very own son’s death pls .
what does looking back at his moms past have to do with Ajay !!
I grew up with Dylan and Dylan always loved his mom his family
They don’t deserve this hate
For both families deserve more 🤍
Once you “get to know her”?
Please STFU. No one who has kids with tons of guys, is stealing shit in her late 30s according to CCAP and supposedly lost custody of her child is “amazing” once you get to know her.
Sounds like the trainwrecks you see profiled on this site all the time….professional victims, always an excuse as to why they committed their behavior, etc.
This basically describes both sides of this case. Bad parenting….no responsibility. There are a 100 mothers like this in Kenosha….
again this is about two families who lost there children
please get out the comments with negative comments
Justice was served for them 🤍
Dylan and Jenna were both amazing young people
Why anything about me is important to
You or anyone else is beyond me but my parenting or who I am or my past my kids is none of anyone’s business. Ajay and his family did this crime!
Umm thats a driving conviction how is that stealing learn how to read
Aren’t you the same one who’s shoes lean like fuck you mean😂😂😂
English, please? Throw in a little punctuation, too.
I say try ajay for death row. But me personally I can’t wait till the little bitch hangs himself so I can piss on his grave during the funeral 💨💨💨 smoking ajay pack rn😂😂😂
You’d probably have to wait until AFTER the funeral to “piss on his grave.”
What does “smoking ajay pack rn” mean? Please decode.
Nah during the funeral. Anybody gotta problem with it can catch an asswhooping. And it mean I hope they burn his fucking body before his bitch ass family can pick him up.
Okay, have it your way, but the casket won’t be in the grave until AFTER the funeral. So judge the wind direction carefully before you start “pissing” upwards.
AJ got what he deserved! He had 1 too many chances too straighten his shit out but chose not too so this is what happens.
Kenosha County Case Number 2019CM000221 State of Wisconsin vs. Erin M. Zamora
The defendant Erin M. Zamora was found guilty of the following charge(s) in this case.
Retail Theft – Intentionally Take (<=$500), a class A misdemeanor, Wisconsin Statutes 943.50(1m)(b).
Are you so high you forgot about your retail theft conviction?
IS THIS UR BUISNESS ???
She lost her son
Ajay DESERVES WHAT HE GOT !!!
fix you’re own family problems and get the fuck out of this one
LOOK AT AJAYS FAMILY RECORD IF YOU RLLY WANT TO GET TO COMPARING PLS
I WILL PULL EVRYTHING
HIS DEADBEAT MOM AND DAD GRANDPARENTS
COME ON
Is Ajay a giver or taker? I’ll bet he’s a taker. After 30 years in prison, 50 year old Ajay’s prostate exams will interesting.
Why? Do you know from experience? Gtfoh!