HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Natrona Heights man will spend three to six months behind bars for his role in the death of an 11-year-old girl.
Roxanne Bonnoni was hit by a car while crossing the road near her home in Harrison Township in August of 2024.
On Wednesday, the man charged in connection to the deadly accident received a sentence of 3-6 months behind bars.
Police say the man driving the car had 12 beers the day of the crash.
“Absolutely disgusting. Our system is a disgrace,” family neighbor Jack Howard said.
He lives next door to Roxanne’s father on North Canal Street and was the second person to make it to the little girl after the crash.
“I heard the hit. It sounded like a big thump, like someone slammed the car door,” he said. “He should’ve been charged with vehicular homicide. He never should’ve been on the road.”
Instead of homicide, the driver, 65-year-old Jeffrey Glowatski, was charged with misdemeanor DUI and careless driving.
According to court documents, he pleaded guilty.
“Knowing you can take someone’s life, cross so many boundaries, and get that sentence is sad,” neighbor Colby Henry said.
We did reach out to Bonnoni’s family attorney, Fred Rabner.
He told us:
“While today provided an opportunity for closure of the criminal matter against Mr. Glowatski, unfortunately, the loss of this bright light is a wound that will never be fully healed for the family.
“If nothing more, today provided an opportunity for Roxanne’s parents to emotionally express in open court what their beautiful daughter meant to the entire family.
“In having shared the pain of their loss, our hope is that they can take the next step forward in their journey without Roxanne.
“The family is very grateful to Assistant District Attorney Kelly Naik for her diligent work in securing a conviction and incarceration of the man who caused such great pain to their family.
“His Honor took this matter very seriously, as he always does and agreed with Miss Naik and the family that this was not an ‘accident’ but an intentional act to drink at least 12 beers over a period of hours at two different locations we’re aware of leading to this heinous result.
“We feel vindicated that His Honor stated in open court words to the effect that, had Mr. Glowatski not been impaired to nearly twice the legal limit, Mr. Glowatski’s reactions and reflexes may have been acute enough to notice the children at play sign or would’ve seen the kids playing on the side of the road before impact.”
When asked if the family was satisfied with the sentence, he said:
“While the family is satisfied with the serious manner the district attorney and court took in the handling of this matter, there is no amount of time that any court could’ve given Mr. Glowatski that would’ve satisfied them. In their mind, an eye for an eye, a life for a life. He should’ve been in jail for many years. But they understand the charges that were able to be substantiated and they’ll have to be satisfied with that for now.”
Howard agrees and hopes something can be done to make the street better.
There are already signs up urging drivers to watch out for kids. He’d like to see more police and is moving because he doesn’t believe it’s safe enough.
“My theory is, if you take someone’s life, you should be locked up automatically for life. Or you kill someone, you get the death penalty,” he said.
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