Driver faces DUI, but not homicide charges in Natrona girl's death; family attorney reacts

Police said a Harrison man drank 12 beers before getting behind the wheel of a Jeep that struck and killed an 11-year-old girl in Natrona last summer.

Allegheny County Police on Wednesday charged Jeffrey Glowatski, 65, with three counts of DUI and two counts of careless driving in connection with a crash that killed Roxanne Bonnoni.

Glowatski is not charged with causing Bonnoni’s death.

Charges were decided by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s office.

Representatives from Zappala’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Online court records show no criminal history for Glowatski.

According to the criminal complaint, Glowatski left Boots Bar on Second Avenue in Brackenridge just before 7:15 p.m. Aug. 20, 2024, and was driving a Jeep Patriot north on North Canal Street when he struck Bonnoni minutes later.

Bonnoni, who was hearing impaired, was crossing the street near Kuntz Street when she was hit.

Harrison police were first on the scene. Officers said Glowatski refused a field sobriety test but consented to a blood draw after county detectives obtained a warrant from District Judge Carolyn Bengel.

His blood alcohol level, recorded at 11:41 p.m., was listed at 0.15%, almost twice Pennsylvania’s legal limit of 0.08%.

Police said Glowatski spent the afternoon, from 2:45 to 7:15 p.m., at two local bars, court papers state.

First was the American Legion in Brackenridge, where police said video shows Glowatski drinking seven beverages that appear to be 12-ounce bottles of beer in just over two hours.

He left the Legion just before 5 p.m. and went down the street to Boots, where he had five more beers, police said.

“Coming up on the year anniversary of this tragedy, the family is somewhat heartened by the fact that charges are being brought forward, with the idea that some justice lies ahead,” said family attorney Fred Rabner.

“To that end, the family appreciates all the hard work that the district attorney’s office and prosecuting officers have put into investigating this matter. While we understand the technical difficulty in proving the specific elements of homicide-related charges, and understand the commonwealth’s decision to file the DUI charges alone, we have to wonder aloud whether a sober Mr. Glowatski would have seen the child cross the street.

“We take solace in knowing he will have to face these allegations in court and so badly desire closure.”

Rabner said the Bonnoni family asked him to thank people for their outpouring of kindness.