Allegheny County Courthouse
PITTSBURGH – A recent lawsuit blames an American Legion post in Allegheny County for the death of an 11-year-old girl who was struck by an allegedly drunk driver in August 2024.
Amber Bonnoni sued Brackenridge American Legion Post #226 last week in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas over her daughter Roxanne’s death. The suit says Post #226 overserved Jeffrey Glowatski, who has been charged with DUI and careless driving.
Prosecutors are not seeking vehicular homicide charges against Glowatski, whose auto insurer State Farm last year agreed to pay $1.25 million to Roxanne’s estate.
Police said Glowatski consumed 12 beers in less than five hours. His blood-alcohol level was 0.15 four hours after he struck Roxanne with his Jeep Patriot as she crossed North Canal Street, they said.
“Responding law enforcement officers observed that Glowatski exhibited slurred speech, delayed responses, and an odor of alcoholic beverages emanating from his person,” the lawsuit says.
“The sole and substantial cause of the collision and resulting death of (Roxanne) was Glowatski’s intoxicated operation of his motor vehicle.”
For that, Post #226 could face liability. Glowatski’s intoxication would have been apparent to any reasonable person trained in the service of alcohol, the suit says. But the bar continued serving him despite the “risk posed to the public,” the suit says.
The suit makes claims for dram shop liability, wrongful death and survival action for the pain and suffering Roxanne suffered prior to her death. Monte Rabner represents the plaintiff.
Amber Bonnoni has also instigated civil proceedings against Boots Bar, which is where Glowatski was spotted leaving minutes before the accident. In that case, Rabner is seeking any insurance policies issued to Boots Bar that would provide coverage for Roxanne’s death.
