PITTSBURGH — One of the men charged in connection with the 2023 crash that killed 15-year-old Serra Catholic student Samantha Kalkbrenner pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
William Soliday pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault and other charges.
Previous coverage: New videos played in court show moment just before deadly school van crash in Dravosburg
Soliday has been sentenced to 5 and a half to 12 years in prison.
According to investigators, William Soliday was behind the wheel and driving more than 100 miles per hour on Richland Avenue in Dravosburg while racing another man on the morning of Sept. 20, 2023.
His car crashed into the Serra Catholic School van that Samantha had just boarded. She was killed, and five other students were taken to the hospital.’
Channel 11 reporter Gabriella DeLuca was in the courtroom during the hearing.
At one point, Sam’s mom turned to Soliday and showed him a picture of her daughter, saying, “Look how beautiful my daughter is. This is what you took from us.”
Her father, Karl, said he’s grateful for the support network the family has. That support network showed up to the courthouse to support them on Tuesdsay. They wore blue T-shirts with her photo on them, and said “Justice for Sam.”
“All the people who my daughter touched... so many everywhere, I can’t even explain,” Karl said.
During the hearing, Sam’s friends, boyfriend and mother read tearful victim impact statements, and told the judge how much Sam meant to them. Plus — nearly 50 other people wrote letters to the judge.
Casey White is Soliday’s defense attorney.
“That was one of the most difficult legal experiences I’ve had. I’ve been in a number of homicides, homicide by vehicle and cases that involve death, and that was difficult,” he said.
While the Kalkbrenner family continues to mourn Sam, they’re choosing to live life in her honor.
“If you knew her, you loved her, but all we ask now is if you knew her… continue to celebrate her life."
Soliday told Sam’s family that he is deeply sorry for what happened, and he accepts responsibility for her death.
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