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Student charged with driving under the influence, striking two

Photo by The Scout

Current Bradley student Stephanie Melgoza was arrested on April 12, according to WEEK, following multiple charges from an incident that occurred on April 10. 

Melgoza, senior organizational communications major, faces seven charges in total. They include two charges of aggravated DUI resulting in death, which are Class 2 felonies, two charges of aggravated reckless driving resulting in bodily harm, both Class 4 felonies and unlawful possession of cannabis, a Class A misdemeanor, according to Tazewell County Circuit Court records.

An East Peoria police officer arrived on the scene of a traffic accident at approximately 10:16 p.m. on April 10 at the 3300 block of N. Main St. in East Peoria and found a red Dodge Dart with heavy damage and two pedestrians, who were later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victims were identified as Andrea Rosewicz, 43, of Avon, Ohio, and Paul Prowant, 55 of Seattle, Washington, according to the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

The officer made contact with Melgoza and noticed she had a noticeable odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech and red, watery eyes. Melgoza performed a Standardized Field Sobriety Test which showed signs of impairment and “admitted to drinking three vodka drinks prior to driving,” according to Tazewell County Circuit Court records.

In conversation with the officer, Melgoza estimated that she was driving 40 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone. She was also cited with transporting/carrying alcohol and failure to reduce speed, both classified as petty offenses. 

Melgoza was in possession of “a green leafy substance that field tested positive for cannabis, a hitter pipe, and an open bottle of Tito’s vodka in the vehicle,” according to court records. 

The Scout reached out to Melgoza for comment on Wednesday afternoon and as of Thursday morning, she has not replied. The story will be updated if she provides any response.

Melgoza is scheduled to appear in a Tazewell County court on May 24 at 1:30 p.m.

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