An Allegheny County judge has sentenced a Harrison Township man to three to six months in jail for a drunk-driving crash that killed an 11-year-old girl in Natrona, a punishment that has stirred fresh questions about how Pennsylvania handles fatal DUI cases.
Jeffrey Glowatski, 65, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and careless driving in the August 20, 2024, collision that killed 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni as she crossed near her Natrona home. The sentence, handed down by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward Borkowski, also includes fines and probation conditions.
Court records show Borkowski ordered a three-to-six-month county jail term, a $500 fine, and probation, according to CBS Pittsburgh. Local reporting put the total fines and fees at roughly $1,450, as reported by WTAE. Glowatski had entered his guilty pleas in December rather than take the case to trial.
The crash happened on August 20, 2024, when Glowatski's SUV struck Roxanne as she crossed North Canal Street near Kuntz Street in the Natrona neighborhood. She had hearing loss and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to WPXI. Neighbors created a memorial at the spot where she died. Roxanne was set to start sixth grade and was remembered by teachers and classmates for her creativity and bright smile.
Investigators later reviewed surveillance video that they say shows Glowatski drinking as many as 12 beers over about five hours at two Brackenridge establishments. Police reported that he was slurring his speech at the crash scene, WTAE found. A blood draw showed a blood-ethanol level of about 0.153, nearly twice Pennsylvania's legal limit, authorities said. Family attorney Freddy Rabner told reporters he is exploring civil claims against the bars that served Glowatski.
The DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, where Roxanne had attended, described her as "an integral part of our DePaul family" and recalled her love of storytelling, CBS Pittsburgh reported. In court, Roxanne’s parents delivered emotional victim-impact statements, detailing the daily void left by their daughter's death. The family's lawyer said the criminal sentence does not end their pursuit of accountability.
Legal Questions And Next Steps
Prosecutors pursued misdemeanor DUI and careless driving counts rather than homicide charges, a decision outlets have reported was tied to the specific legal elements required to prove a homicide case, according to WPXI. Pennsylvania law sets maximum penalties for many misdemeanor DUI convictions at up to six months in jail, as outlined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804, available via Justia.
Glowatski will serve his county jail term under probation and other court-ordered conditions. Meanwhile, the family’s civil options, including potential action against the establishments that served him, remain active. In Natrona, the outcome has renewed debate over how safe local roads really are and whether current penalties for impaired driving do enough to deter deadly crashes.
