'Soul Full Of Dreams': Fundraiser Aids Worcester Girl, 13, Killed Crossing Belmont St

Editor's note: Members of Simoncini's family have raised concerns about the fundraiser set up by her father, Jose Diaz, and have asked for donations to be dropped off at Simoncini's mother's business, the Spotted Cow Café in Barre. Diaz has denied claims that he is refusing to use the funds for his daughter's funeral, and has updated his GoFundMe accordingly.

WORCESTER, MA — The father of the 13-year-old girl killed by a driver while crossing Belmont Street last month is raising money to pay for his daughter's funeral and memorial services.

Jose Diaz said he's raising money to give his daughter "the dignified farewell she deserves."

"Gianna was more than just my daughter; she was a bright light in our lives, a source of joy, and a soul full of dreams. Her sudden departure has left us devastated and grappling with emotions beyond words," he wrote in the appeal.

Gianna Rose Simoncini was crossing Belmont around 2:30 p.m. on June 27 when a driver in an Acura hit her. Simoncini was trying to cross the six-lane road where drivers often speed above the local limit, near Dustin Street, which is about 1/4-mile from the closest crosswalk in either direction.

Simoncini is the second pedestrian to die along the stretch of Belmont, which is also state Route 9, west of Lake Quinsigamond. On June 25, 2022, a driver hit and killed a 45-year-old pedestrian who was near Lake Avenue. The teenager is also the second pedestrian fatality in Worcester this year, according to MassDOT data. Just after noon on March 29, a driver hit and killed an 88-year-old man who was crossing Park Avenue near Parker Street.

Worcester police were still investigating the collision that killed Simoncini as of this week, and had not released any new information about it.

Simoncini's fundraiser was at about $6,600 against an $8,000 goal as of Friday morning.