NORTH BELLE VERNON, Pa. — It’s been two hard months for Amanda Woznick and her family after her six-year-old daughter Aria was hit by a car at her bus stop and died.
“I don’t want any other parent to have to feel like this,” Woznick said. “It’s the most gut-wrenching thing you can ever imagine.”
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It’s also been tough on her kids, including her 8-year-old son.
“He was right beside Aria, so I think there’s a little bit of survivor’s guilt there,” Woznick said. “He almost got hit as well, so he’s going through some pretty intense therapy right now.”
Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek walked with the Woznick family Friday afternoon to the bus stop where Aria was hit. They want safety enhancements on Fayette Street, whether that’s a speed bump, flashing lights, or a crossing guard.
“Anything. I’m asking for anything. Any sort of safety measure,” Woznick said. “I don’t think it’s too much to ask.”
We asked PennDOT who would be responsible for making these changes to the road. In a statement to Channel 11, PennDOT said, “Though this is a state road, these improvements would be the responsibility of the school district and the local municipality to implement. While sometimes there is a desire for crosswalks at bus stops, they are not painted at any school bus stops. However, school bus stop ahead signs are common as well as potentially lights may be used in some situations. The first step in this process is for the residents, school district, and local municipality to work together to discuss alternatives they are interested in and request to see if the ideas would qualify at this location. Once the local municipality formally requests permission to implement these changes, PennDOT will review their proposal and authorize what is deemed fitting. The municipality will be responsible for installation and maintenance of any of these devices requested.”
The Woznicks went to the Belle Vernon Area School Board meeting in April, where Amanda said she had a frustrating interaction with the board president over, what she called, semantics.
“They’re humps. Humps,” said Board President Joel Whiteko. “Not a bump, but a hump.”
Members of the school board did not respond to Havranek’s email.
School Superintendent Ken WIlliams sent a statement saying, “The Belle Vernon Area School District continues to express its sympathies due to the tragic and untimely death of Aria Woznick. The District is constantly evaluating safety measures for its students. The safety and well-being of our students is one of our primary concerns and the District is committed to engaging in discussions to address the community’s concerns.”
The Woznicks just want to prevent this from happening again.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s another 50 years,” Woznick said. “It shouldn’t have to happen again.”
Channel 11 reached out to Rostraver Township and the Borough of North Belle Vernon but has not heard back.
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