Drunk driver sentenced to 3-6 months for crash that killed Harrison Township girl

Jeffrey Glowatski pleaded guilty to DUI and careless driving in the 2024 crash that killed 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A man who was driving drunk during a crash that killed an 11-year-old girl in Harrison Township, Pennsylvania nearly two years ago has been sentenced to 3 to 6 months in jail. Jeffrey Glowatski pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and careless driving stemming from the deadly crash along Kuntz Street where Roxanne Bonnoni was hit while crossing the street and died at the scene.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of drunk driving and the devastating consequences it can have on innocent victims and their families. The light sentence has also sparked debate about whether the punishment fits the crime and whether more needs to be done to deter drunk driving and protect pedestrians.

The details

Investigators said that Glowatski was slurring his speech at the scene of the crash with later tests revealing a blood alcohol level that was nearby double the legal limit to drive. Police said that video surveillance showed Glowatski drinking as many 12 beers in a five-hour period at an American Legion and at a bar before the crash happened.

  • The crash occurred in 2024.
  • Glowatski pleaded guilty late last year.
  • He was sentenced on Wednesday.

The players

Jeffrey Glowatski

The man who was driving drunk during the crash that killed 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni.

Roxanne Bonnoni

The 11-year-old girl who was killed when she was hit by Glowatski's vehicle while crossing the street in Harrison Township.

Edward Borkowski

The Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge who sentenced Glowatski to 3 to 6 months in jail.

The DePaul School for Hearing and Speech

The school that Roxanne Bonnoni attended and where she was remembered as a beloved student.

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What’s next

The judge's decision to sentence Glowatski to 3 to 6 months in jail has sparked debate about whether the punishment fits the crime, and whether more needs to be done to deter drunk driving and protect pedestrians.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the devastating impact that drunk driving can have on innocent lives, and the ongoing need for stronger measures to prevent such incidents and hold offenders accountable. The light sentence has raised concerns about the justice system's approach to these types of crimes and the need for reforms to better protect vulnerable road users.