Di Lisio's Italian Restaurant Closes After Staff Tragedy
The local restaurant is closing for the remainder of the week to allow staff to grieve the loss of a colleague's son.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Dining Out
Di Lisio's Italian Restaurant announced it is closing through the end of the week following the death of a staff member's 20-year-old son. Angel Bonilla died following a pedestrian traffic crash that occurred late Saturday.
Why it matters
The restaurant operation is paused to allow the staff to mourn the loss of a team member's family member. The closure reflects the tight-knit nature of local hospitality teams when faced with sudden personal tragedies.
Angel Bonilla, aged 20, was the victim identified by police following the incident. No charges have been filed by authorities in the crash investigation.
The players
Angel Bonilla
He was a 20-year-old man who died following a pedestrian traffic crash.
Winston-Salem Police
The local agency is responsible for investigating the circumstances of the fatal pedestrian collision.
Di Lisio's Italian Restaurant
A local eatery that has paused operations to support employees mourning a staff member's son.
The details
The restaurant shared notice of the temporary closure on Facebook to support employees affected by the death of Angel Bonilla. The fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Ziglar Road and Nylon Drive after Bonilla had been walking near University Parkway.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: Angel Bonilla was last seen walking along University Parkway.
October 24, 2026: The pedestrian crash occurred at Ziglar Road and Nylon Drive.
October 28, 2026: Di Lisio's Italian Restaurant announced the closure.
October 29, 2026: Winston-Salem police officially identified the victim.
Culture Shift
This tragedy reflects the broader and recurring societal impact of pedestrian roadway fatalities documented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The closure highlights how deeply local businesses are affected by the rising frequency of such road-based incidents.
Patrons planning to visit the restaurant this week will need to adjust their dining plans due to the unannounced closure. Residents should remain aware of ongoing police activity at the intersection of Ziglar Road and Nylon Drive while the investigation proceeds.
The takeaway
Sudden losses within a community often lead to public expressions of grief that prioritize human connection over standard business operations. Residents should offer patience and support to staff members during this time of mourning.
Further reading
For more information on the local culinary scene, visit the Winston-Salem Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Winston-Salem Journal.
