2 men accused of racing before crash that killed 15-year-old student will go to trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The two Pittsburgh-area men charged in connection with the crash that killed a 15-year-old Serra Catholic High School student faced a judge on Friday.
William Soliday II and Andrew Voigt had their preliminary hearing on Friday. During the appearance, video evidence showed the moments leading up to and when the violent crash happened. Witnesses and investigators also took the stand to testify about what happened that day.
All charges for Soliday, the man accused of hitting the van 15-year-old Samantha Kalkbrenner was riding to school, were held for trial. Soliday faces multiple charges, including third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle.
"My client, he's distraught," Soliday's attorney, Casey White, said on Friday. "He's upset. I don't know what adjective to use. He's at the bottom. He can't go any lower right now."
A judge dismissed the most serious felony charge against Voigt, the man accused of racing with Soliday on Richland Avenue in Dravosburg on Sept. 20, 2023. He still faces several misdemeanor charges.
"No, he was not racing," said David Shrager, Voigt's attorney, on Friday. "Those two have never met."
"It's soul-crushing if you think about what happened to those children," he added. "But at the same time, my client did not violate the law as it's written."
The Kalkbrenner family, who was in court on Friday, sent KDKA-TV a statement after the court appearance:
"The wheels of justice turn slow but they do turn. We are grateful for all the hard work put in by the police and the prosecutor. We pray daily that justice will be served. Nothing will bring our beloved daughter back to us but someone should be held accountable first this tragedy. Our daughter's death has affected more lives than we could have ever imagined. We are forever grateful for all of the support we have received from our family and friends and of course our church and the Serra Catholic school. As we await the outcome of the legal system we just ask for your continued support and prayers."
Kalkbrenner died at the scene and other students were taken to local hospitals with various injuries.
Witnesses told police that the drivers of a Volkswagen and Jeep were speeding and appeared to be racing as they crossed the Mansfield Bridge driving toward the intersection of Third Street and Richland Avenue. Officials said Soliday was the driver of the Volkswagen and Voigt was the driver of the Jeep.
Data from the Volkswagen showed Soliday was driving more than 100 miles per hour leading up to the crash, police said.
Police said they determined that Soliday and Voigt work together at Bettis Laboratory, approximately a quarter mile from the crash site.
White said he believes Voigt was chasing his client the morning of the crash and Soliday was never acting in malice.
"At no point in time did my client intend to injure or kill anybody," White said. "It's clear from the accident reconstructionist that the brakes were applied."
The Dravosburg community has demanded changes on the road near the crash in the months after the crash.
Allegheny County crews installed "no left turn" and "all traffic must turn right" signs at Third and Fourth streets, as well as Beech Alley. The county crews also painted "slow" pavement markings on Richland Avenue north of the Mansfield Bridge.