Shocking bodycam footage shows move Illinois woman made after killing two people in deadly DUI crash

An Illinois woman who infamously smiled and laughed after killing two people in a 2022 drunk driving crash had her chilling behavior captured on a bodycam.

Stephanie Melgoza, 27, was sentenced to 14 years behind bars in April 2023, after pleading guilty to two counts each of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and aggravated reckless driving.

The former university student's blood alcohol level was recorded at .264, which is over three times the legal limit in the US.

More was revealed in chilling body camera footage obtained by Fox News Digital, as Melgoza can be heard laughing, smiling, and singing after the fatal collision.

She didn't appear too remorseful when a police officer informed her that she had struck and killed Paul Prowant, 55, and his girlfriend, 43-year-old Andrea Rosewicz.

After she was tested at the scene before being put in the back of a police car and taken to hospital.

Stephanie Melgoza laughed throughout her arrest, as seen in disturbing body-cam footage. Credit: Tazewell County Sheriff's Department

Body cam footage highlights questionable behavior

Melgoza called 911 on the night of April 10, 2022, after hitting the couple outside the Full Throttle bar around 10 pm.

Officers arrived to the scene to find her totaled Dodge Dart, which had a severed leg 'sticking out of the grill', as per a police report.

She looked on with little to no emotion, with first responders trying to resuscitate the victims, though their attempts would be in vain.

Melgoza told cops she had downed three vodka drinks and was 'just getting her night started' before hitting the victims.

An open handle of Tito's vodka was found on her car floor, with Melgoza also asking: "I graduate in four weeks - is this going to affect anything?"

At the hospital, Melgoza continuously told East Peoria Officer Jeffrey Bieber that she had school the next day.

The law enforcement official grew frustrated, eventually telling the criminal: "You want me to be honest with you. You’re going to jail. You don’t have a bond. You killed two people tonight. I don’t think you understand that."

She was sitting in a hospital bed after the crash and could be seen staring blankly before asking if she'd make her upcoming night class.

The officer replied: "Did you understand what I told you, that you killed two people tonight?"

"Yes, I’m just wondering when I can go to school," she replied, with little remorse.

He then reminded Melgoza: "You’re on body camera, being completely careless about killing two people tonight. You couldn't care less. That’s sad and pathetic and horrible all at the same time."

"Can you say that as a cop?" Melgoza asked, to which he responded: "Yes, ma’am, I can."

Melgoza was seen smiling and laughing at the crime scene, and then again in the hospital. Credit: East Peoria Police Department

Melgoza sang and spoke about an upcoming trip

While Bieber waited for a nurse to perform a DUI kit on Melgoza, she danced and sang in the hospital room.

She then started speaking about an upcoming vacation to Las Vegas, telling him: "It’s going to be so fun, I’m going to start off with two Long Islands."

The officer asked: "You haven’t had enough of drinking already?" And she replied, laughing: "We’re talking about Vegas. There is no limit in Vegas, right?"

She also joked about joining the 'DUI Club' before asking for her phone so she could message her co-workers, who allegedly also had DUIs, the police report detailed.

Melgoza pleaded guilty

Months on from the incident, Melgoza pleaded guilty to two counts each of aggravated DUI and aggravated reckless driving.

In April 2023, her sentencing took place, and she apologized for her actions.

"I’m so sorry for everything, and I will never, ever commit anything like that again," she told the court.

Melgoza further claimed: "I have not drank since that day. I do not plan on drinking ever again."

Featured image credit: Tazewell County Sheriff's Department