Alongside East Ohio Street near the turn for Route 28 stands a single tree. Planted in the right-of-way of PennDOT’s construction area, it signifies the return of a memorial to commemorate the memory of 11-year-old Scott Drake, who was killed and his body found near East Ohio Street in September, 2000.

This is the second incarnation of remembrance for the young boy, after the accidental destruction of the first. The original tree was planted more than eight years ago by friends and family as a memorial to Drake. In 2007, PennDOT accidentally bulldozed the tree while making way for the new Route 28 ramp connecting that road to I-279.

But in partnership with the Northside Leadership Conference, PennDOT placed a new tree on the same land, along with a marker signifying the importance of the tree.

“The three that was initially planted was accidentally destroyed as part of the ramp project. It was not marked and no one at PennDOT knew about it,” said PennDOT District 11 spokesman Jim Struzzi.

“PennDOT felt that the least we can do was replace it. And the memorial plaque helps to identify it for future generations,” Struzzi added. “Plus it makes it more of a formal memorial for Scott Drake.”

The memorial was rededicated Friday, Nov. 14, in a small ceremony with family, friends and members of the community. The ceremony was small in deference to the family’s wishes.