11-year-old killed in Natrona crash 'brought people together'

Tony Cszimadia takes it a little bit at a time when he visits the growing makeshift memorial for his daughter, Roxanne Alexis Bonnoni, on North Canal Street in Harrison.

“She went through life a very caring person,” Cszimadia said of 11-year-old Roxanne, who died Tuesday evening when she was struck by a vehicle. “She was friendly to everybody. She was the kind of person who brought people together.”

The Natrona community continues to mourn the loss of Roxanne two days after the tragedy, with people continuing to drop off balloons, flowers, stuffed animals and pinwheels to remember the girl at a memorial down the street from her home, at the intersection of North Canal and Kuntz Street.

A GoFundMe for the family has been established. As of Friday morning, it had already surpassed its initial $9,000 goal from over 150 donations.

Cszimadia said his family is grateful for the outpouring of community support.

Roxanne, a student at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, did all the things an 11-year-old loved to do, her father said.

She was really into creating artwork, he said, and making homemade “slime.”

“She taught the neighbor boy how to make slime,” Cszimadia said. “She was special.”

Roxanne also had a special bond with the family’s dog, Teddy. Roxanne had aspirations to rescue animals when she got older.

While visiting the memorial Thursday afternoon, Cszimadia found a silver charm, in the shape of a dog, lying on the sidewalk.

“She’s giving us signs,” he said.

Cszimadia said the family is processing the loss by taking things “one day at a time.”

“Roxanne got us all together,” he said. “She’s the person who got us all together.”

Road safety

In the wake of Roxanne’s death, at least one Harrison official anticipates discussing road safety on North Canal Street during a commissioners meeting Monday.

“It’s a serious issue, and we’ll have to have a public conversation,” Commissioner Chuck Dizard said.

He said he would hold off from commenting further until that meeting.

Attempts to reach other township commissioners Thursday were unsuccessful.

On Wednesday, residents of North Canal Street told reporters that speeding is an issue on North Canal, and people often run the stop sign at Kuhnert Street. Concerns raised to township officials had gone unnoticed, they said.

No arrests had been made in the case as of Thursday afternoon. County police Lt. Venerando Costa would say only that the case remains open and active.

“We want the Harrison Township community to know that we are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents, motorists and pedestrians,” Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said. “Our police officers are routinely located in Natrona conducting traffic enforcement stops, and often conduct traffic enforcement at the intersection of North Canal and Kuhnert streets. Additionally, our department has, and continues, to identify and work on traffic-related projects throughout the township.”

The chief said the township uses three portable speed radar signs that are rotated throughout the community.

He said the department “works continuously to secure funding through state grants in order to further our traffic calming option.”

He noted the police department received its first speed radar trailer, which was secured through a state grant with the support of state Rep. Mandy Steele’s office, and it will be put into service as soon as it is ready for deployment.

The speed limit on North Canal is 25 mph, Township Manager Amy Rockwell said.

Asked about the logistics of a traffic study to change the speed limit and other possibilities the township could take, including adding signage or speed bumps, Rockwell said the township will evaluate further action upon the conclusion of the investigation.

“In the meantime, we urge everyone to drive cautiously and remain vigilant — especially in areas where children may be present.”

Turack and Rockwell offered their condolences to Bonnoni’s family.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a young life on North Canal Street earlier this week,” Rockwell said. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking incident.”