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Two men are facing several charges Wednesday in connection to the crash that killed Serra Catholic High School student Samantha Kalkbrenner in Dravosburg back in September.According to court documents, William R. Soliday II, 43, of Irwin, is facing over a dozen charges, including criminal homicide, homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment and racing on highways.Andrew Neil Voigt, 37, of Pittsburgh, is charged with reckless endangerment, accidents involving death or personal injury, and careless driving, among other charges.The crash happened around 7:25 a.m. on Sept. 20 near the intersection of Richland Avenue and 3rd Street in Dravosburg. Kalkbrenner, 15, was declared dead at the scene.The three other students were taken to a local hospital in stable condition from the crash. The school van driver went to the hospital in critical condition.According to the criminal complaint, video from inside the school van carrying Kalkbrenner and three other students showed the van driver looking each way several times before turning left onto Richland Avenue.Within two seconds of pulling out onto Richland Avenue, the van was hit by a Volkswagen Jetta GTI, which police say was driven by Soliday. A Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Voigt, could be seen in video from the van passing through the intersection right after the crash.According to his criminal complaint, detectives determined that Soliday was driving 107 miles per hour within seconds of the crash. He allegedly hit the school van while going 90 miles per hour.Several witnesses told police that the Jeep and Volkswagen were traveling at a high rate of speed, as if they were racing while crossing the Mansfield Bridge. Additional video showed the drivers going well over the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour.Police arrested Soliday and Voigt Wednesday. They will be taken to the Allegheny County Jail prior to their preliminary arraignments.Police determined both Soliday and Voigt worked at a business about a quarter of a mile from the scene.Samantha Kalkbrenner’s mother, Nenita, told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, “I’m glad that we finally have a start to prosecuting this case. We’ve been waiting and praying for this. I know we’re going to get justice.”Attorney Casey White, representing Soliday, told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Wednesday night that his client has no memory of the crash on September 20.”My client doesn’t have any recollection of the accident, driving, or leaving home that day. The earliest recollection he has is from the night before. My client suffered significant injuries, some head trauma, lacerations to his head. He had some internal injuries. So, he has dealt with those injuries and does not recall anything that day, let alone the accident,” White said.White also said this crash was an accident.”This was not any malicious intent by Mr. Soliday,” White said. “I can assure you that at no point in time did he think that his behavior would lead to the death of another individual.”The crash sparked a community effort to install new traffic signs at the site of the deadly crash.County police and the county district attorney’s office are planning a news conference to discuss these charges on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the county police headquarters in Green Tree. This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates. Download the WTAE mobile app to stay connected with breaking news.
Two men are facing several charges Wednesday in connection to the crash that killed Serra Catholic High School student Samantha Kalkbrenner in Dravosburg back in September.
According to court documents, William R. Soliday II, 43, of Irwin, is facing over a dozen charges, including criminal homicide, homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment and racing on highways.
Andrew Neil Voigt, 37, of Pittsburgh, is charged with reckless endangerment, accidents involving death or personal injury, and careless driving, among other charges.
The crash happened around 7:25 a.m. on Sept. 20 near the intersection of Richland Avenue and 3rd Street in Dravosburg. Kalkbrenner, 15, was declared dead at the scene.
The three other students were taken to a local hospital in stable condition from the crash. The school van driver went to the hospital in critical condition.
According to the criminal complaint, video from inside the school van carrying Kalkbrenner and three other students showed the van driver looking each way several times before turning left onto Richland Avenue.
Within two seconds of pulling out onto Richland Avenue, the van was hit by a Volkswagen Jetta GTI, which police say was driven by Soliday. A Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Voigt, could be seen in video from the van passing through the intersection right after the crash.
According to his criminal complaint, detectives determined that Soliday was driving 107 miles per hour within seconds of the crash. He allegedly hit the school van while going 90 miles per hour.
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Several witnesses told police that the Jeep and Volkswagen were traveling at a high rate of speed, as if they were racing while crossing the Mansfield Bridge. Additional video showed the drivers going well over the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour.
Police arrested Soliday and Voigt Wednesday. They will be taken to the Allegheny County Jail prior to their preliminary arraignments.
Police determined both Soliday and Voigt worked at a business about a quarter of a mile from the scene.
Samantha Kalkbrenner’s mother, Nenita, told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, “I’m glad that we finally have a start to prosecuting this case. We’ve been waiting and praying for this. I know we’re going to get justice.”
Attorney Casey White, representing Soliday, told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Wednesday night that his client has no memory of the crash on September 20.
“My client doesn’t have any recollection of the accident, driving, or leaving home that day. The earliest recollection he has is from the night before. My client suffered significant injuries, some head trauma, lacerations to his head. He had some internal injuries. So, he has dealt with those injuries and does not recall anything that day, let alone the accident,” White said.
White also said this crash was an accident.
“This was not any malicious intent by Mr. Soliday,” White said. “I can assure you that at no point in time did he think that his behavior would lead to the death of another individual.”
The crash sparked a community effort to install new traffic signs at the site of the deadly crash.
County police and the county district attorney’s office are planning a news conference to discuss these charges on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the county police headquarters in Green Tree.
This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates. Download the WTAE mobile app to stay connected with breaking news.
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