Allegheny County Police arrested two men in connection with a September school van crash in Dravosburg that left a 15-year-old Serra Catholic student dead.
William Soliday II, 43, of North Huntingdon and Andrew Voigt, 37, of Pittsburgh were arrested Wednesday.
Soliday is facing charges that include third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle. Voigt is facing one felony count of accidents involving death or personal injury, along with multiple misdemeanors.
According to police, videos show the school van was hit by a Volkswagen Jetta GTI on the morning of Sept. 20 at the intersection of Richland Avenue and Third Street. A dark-colored Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk passed through the intersection immediately after the crash.
Soliday was driving the Volkswagen and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Detectives were able to identify Voigt as the driver of the Jeep. Both men worked at a nearby business about a quarter of a mile from the scene.
Four children and one adult driver were in the school van at the time. Video from inside the school van shows that the driver of the van checked each direction multiple times before entering the intersection.
Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner of Dravosburg died in the crash. The other three children and the driver were injured.
Police said witnesses reported the Volkswagen and Jeep driving at high speeds before the crash. Witnesses said they appeared to be racing as they crossed the Mansfield Bridge traveling toward the intersection. Videos also show both vehicles driving at high speeds.
Investigators used a search warrant to check the Volkswagen’s event data recorder, which recorded speeds over 100 mph in the seconds leading up to the collision. At the point of impact with the school van, the car was traveling 90 mph.
Police said both men will be taken to Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary arraignment.
This story was updated to reflect William Soliday’s residence is in North Huntingdon.
