Still no charges 6 months after 11-year-old killed by vehicle in Natrona

Amber Bonnoni is still unable to think straight six months after her daughter, 11-year-old Roxanne, was hit and killed by a vehicle near their Natrona home.

“I am lost in my head,” she said.

“The (person) who stole her life away will go on to have another day and is still free.”

As of Tuesday, charges had not been filed against the driver of a Jeep Patriot that struck Roxanne on Aug. 20 as she crossed North Canal Street from a nearby field where children were playing. Police did not release the name of the driver but said the person remained at the scene after the crash.

Allegheny County Police, who led the investigation into the incident, said their report was finalized in September and turned over to the district attorney’s office.

Multiple messages requesting an update on the status of the case were not returned Tuesday by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s office.

Rebecca Spangler, chief of staff for Zappala, was not available by phone or email.

Anthony Csizmadia, Roxanne’s father, said grief still consumes the family. He didn’t want to discuss the investigation for fear it would interfere with work by police.

“We’re just still in shock,” Csizmadia said.

In the months after the crash, there was a public outpouring of support for the family.

A GoFundMe raised nearly $19,000 to help with expenses.

At least two candlelight vigils were held, one in the days following the incident and one on Oct. 30 to mark what would have been Roxanne’s 12th birthday.

For now, the family takes comfort in remembering their daughter, whom they described as a friendly, dog-loving, budding artist.

“I never will understand why this has happened to our family,” Amber said. “My life has been forever changed in as little as five seconds — shattered. No matter how hard I try, I cannot put the pieces back together.”