Current:Home > Stocks2 men charged in Pennsylvania school van crash that killed teenage girl, injured 5-LoTradeCoin
2 men charged in Pennsylvania school van crash that killed teenage girl, injured 5
View Date:2024-12-24 00:35:21
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Two men accused of racing on a public highway in western Pennsylvania are facing charges in a crash involving a school van that left a teenage girl dead.
The crash also sent three other juveniles and two critically injured adults — including one of the defendants — to hospitals.
Allegheny County police said the Serra Catholic High School van was trying to make a left turn when it was struck by a northbound sedan on Sept. 20 in Dravosburg. The medical examiner’s office said 15-year-old Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner died at the scene. Authorities said three of the four students in the van, including Kalkbrenner, were ejected and the van driver also was seriously injured.
William Soliday II, 43, of Irwin, whose car struck the van, is charged with criminal homicide, vehicular homicide, and multiple counts of aggravated assault and reckless endangering, authorities said. Andrew Voigt, 37, of Pittsburgh, whose vehicle entered the intersection moments after the crash, is charged with accidents involving death or injury and reckless endangering, authorities said. Both men, who worked at the same place nearby, are charged with racing on highways.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said authorities believe the two drivers were racing and that the vehicle had been turned “into a deadly weapon.” Investigators said the first car is believed to have been traveling more than 100 mph (160 kph) just before the crash and the second vehicle was about two seconds behind.
Soliday’s attorney, Casey White, told reporters his client sustained some head trauma and has no memory of the crash or even leaving home that day. He said the crash was an accident and there was no malicious intent on his client’s part, and “words can’t describe the remorse he has, his family has.”
“It was a very shocking situation,” Voigt’s attorney David Shrager told WPXI-TV, adding how many “have passed by terrible accidents and not stopped?”
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Judge moves to slash $38 million verdict in New Hampshire youth center abuse case
- Best moments of the 2024 Grammy Awards, from Jay-Z's fiery speech to Joni Mitchell's stunning debut
- Victoria Monét wins best new artist at the Grammys
- Michigan mayor calls for increased security in response to Wall Street Journal op-ed
- Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
- Who won Grammys for 2024? See the full winners list here
- Kingsley Ben-Adir takes on Bob Marley in the musical biopic One Love
- The 58 greatest Super Bowl moments in NFL history: What was all-time best play?
- College Football Fix podcast addresses curious CFP rankings and previews Week 12
- Detroit father of 6 dies days after being mauled by 3 dogs: family says
Ranking
- Jake Paul's only loss led him to retool the team preparing him to face Mike Tyson
- Michigan city ramps up security after op-ed calls it ‘America’s jihad capital’
- House plans vote on standalone Israel aid bill next week, Speaker Johnson says
- Nikki Haley makes surprise appearance at Saturday Night Live town hall
- Can I take on 2 separate jobs in the same company? Ask HR
- Over 100,000 Bissell vacuums recalled over potential fire hazard from a hot battery
- A Tesla plunged into frigid water in Norway. The motorists were rescued by a floating sauna as their car sank.
- Miley Cyrus just won the first Grammy of her career
Recommendation
-
Gossip Girl Actress Chanel Banks Reported Missing After Vanishing in California
-
United Football League reveals 2024 schedule with 10 game regular season slate
-
I was wrong: Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce romance isn't fake. Apologies, you lovebirds.
-
How Calvin Harris Reacted to Seeing Ex Taylor Swift at 2024 Grammys
-
Harriet Tubman posthumously honored as general in Veterans Day ceremony: 'Long overdue'
-
Bob Saget's widow, Kelly Rizzo, dating Breckin Meyer two years after husband's death
-
How Calvin Harris Reacted to Seeing Ex Taylor Swift at 2024 Grammys
-
Celine Dion's surprise Grammys appearance gets standing ovation amid health battle