Avon Woman, Avon Lake Man Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver In Illinois

EAST PEORIA, IL —A woman from Avon and a man from Avon Lake were killed Sunday after being struck by a vehicle while they were walking in this Central Illinois town, according to the Tazewell County Coroner's Office.

The driver of the vehicle, a 23-year-old woman, was arrested Tuesday after being suspected of drunk driving, a local television station reported.

Andrea Rosewicz, 43, and Paul Prowant, 55, died at the scene of the collision, which happened at around 10:15 p.m. on North Maine Street in East Peoria, according to the coroner's office.

The coroner reported that an autopsy performed Tuesday indicated both victims had suffered multiple blunt force injuries sustained as pedestrians struck by a motor vehicle

According to WEEK-TV in Peoria, Stephanie Melgoza was arrested Tuesday in connection with the fatal incident after being investigated for aggravated DUI resulting in death, cannabis possession and transporting or carrying alcohol.

Court records indicated that police found a red Dodge Dart with heavy front-end damage at the scene of the collision, and that officers identified Melgoza as the driver of the vehicle.

According to court records, Melgoza "admitted to drinking three vodka drinks prior to driving" and "striking a person."

Tazewell County Assistant State's Attorney Aliesha Graves said the responding officer "noticed the defendant had the strong odor of alcoholic beverage ... as well as slurred speech and red, watery eyes," and that when the officer asked the defendant to take a field sobriety test, the defendant "showed signs of impairment."

The prosecutor further alleges that the officer found "a green, leafy substance that field-tested positive for cannabis," and that there also was "a hitter pipe and an open bottle of Tito's vodka in the vehicle."

Melgoza is scheduled to appear in a Tazewell County court in May, according to WEEK.