A Natrona neighborhood’s grief over the death of a hearing impaired 11-year-old girl was tinged with anger over the reckless driving they say caused it. Roxanne Alexis Bonnoni died on North Canal Street, just steps from her home, after she was hit by a Jeep Patriot while walking across the road shortly before 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday. A photo of her was nestled in a memorial of stuffed animals and flowers that was growing through the day Wednesday at the nearest intersection with Kuntz Street. “She was a light, and she was a beautiful soul,” said Shateara Holyfield, who, with her daughter, Shy, 11, added to the memorial.
“She was my daughter’s first best friend. That girl was very loving.” Payton Hursh, 15, had coached Roxanne at the Fun and Freedom summer camp since she was little.
“She was a kind, sweet-hearted little girl full of energy,” she said. “She made everyone smile when she walked in a room.” Payton’s sister, Olivia, 13, was closer to Roxanne’s younger sister but knew and played with them both.
“She was always nice to everybody,” Olivia said. “I wish it didn’t happen to her. She didn’t deserve to go through that.
No one does.” At one moment Wednesday morning, Roxanne’s mother, Amber Bonnoni, came out on her front porch, sobbing. She briefly glanced down the street toward the memorial and the spot where the collision occurred before going back inside.
Speaking with reporters later, Bonnoni said Roxanne was going to dress up as a police.