Vigil speakers recall spirit of 6-year-old North Belle Vernon girl fatally injured by car

Two tents couldn’t contain the large group of friends and supporters who gathered Monday evening outside First Presbyterian Church in Rostraver to remember a 6-year-old girl from North Belle Vernon who was struck by a car and fatally injured while heading to catch her school bus Friday morning.

Amanda Woznick tearfully thanked those who came to the candlelight vigil for her daughter, Aria, that she lost so suddenly.

“I don’t know most of you, but I love you all,” she told those seated under a tent or standing beneath a rain-filled sky. “Thank you so much everybody for your support.”

“We truly appreciate it, everybody that’s reached out and everybody that donated things to support such a beautiful young girl,” said Jennifer Weems, one of Aria’s aunts. “It’s very touching.”

“This community has gone so above and beyond,” said Aria’s paternal grandfather, Timothy Woznick Sr.

The North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department raised close to $11,000 for the grieving family at a bingo event Sunday. As of 9 p.m. Monday, nearly $50,000 more had been raised for the family through a Go Fund Me page.

In another online effort, 25 supporters have donated daily meals for the Woznicks.

“What they’ve done in a few short days, it’s beyond remarkable,” said Timothy Woznick Sr.

Several speakers during the vigil remarked on Aria’s lively presence in her home and community.

Her mother recalled how she liked to experiment with her older sister Emma’s makeup. According to Aria’s obituary, she also liked to color on the walls — usually in purple.

Tyra Holmes, who was Aria’s child care provider, remembered the young girl’s spirit.

“Everywhere she went, she ran,” said Holmes. “Even on her worst day, she had us wrapped around her fingers. Aria impacted all of our lives.”

“I’m going to miss that little girl so bad,” said Timothy Woznick Sr. “That little girl would be 100 miles an hour, and a few seconds later she would be holding you and falling asleep in my arms with her head on my chest.”

“I know that she is smiling and laughing and running around heaven, causing a ruckus just like she did here,” said the Rev. Mary Kay Glunt, pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

Aria attended kindergarten at Marion Elementary School in the Belle Vernon Area School District. She was with her older siblings and friends when she ran across Fayette Street and was hit by a car. She was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she died Friday afternoon.

The fatal pedestrian collision remains under investigation, according to North Belle Vernon police.

In addition to her parents, Timothy and Amanda Woznick, she is survived by siblings Emma and Caleb, as well as grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Belle Vernon Area High School in Rostraver.