Driver in crash that killed Serra Catholic student asks for jail release amid injuries

The man charged with killing a 15-year-old Serra Catholic student in a school van crash in September has asked the court to release him on bond so he can address myriad injuries he suffered in the accident.

William Soliday II, 43, of North Huntingdon, is charged with criminal homicide, homicide by vehicle, reckless endangering and related counts stemming from the Sept. 20 crash at the intersection of Richland Avenue and Third Street in Dravosburg.

Soliday’s wife, Flanna Soliday, testified during a hearing Tuesday that her husband suffered a vertebral fracture and had a spinal fusion. He also has a colostomy bag after having part of his colon removed.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski said he would rule on the motion within 24 hours.

Investigators said Soliday was driving a Volkswagen Jetta that morning, racing his co-worker, Andrew Voigt, 37, of Penn Hills, who was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Witnesses told police they saw both vehicles driving at high speeds and racing across the Mansfield Bridge.

The Jetta struck the school van at the intersection of Richland Avenue and Third Street just after 7:20 a.m., ejecting three students.

Samantha Kalkbrenner, 15, died at the scene.

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Investigators said Soliday was driving 107 mph seconds before the crash.

Voigt, whose car was not involved in the crash, fled the scene that morning.

He is charged with accidents involving death, five counts of reckless endangerment and traffic counts.

Voigt and Soliday were charged on Dec. 13. Voigt’s bond was set at $150,000, and he posted through a bond agency on Thursday.

On Tuesday, defense attorney Casey White asked Borkowski to release Soliday from jail so that he could be treated for the injuries suffered in the crash.

On top of the vertebral fracture, Soliday sustained rib, sternum and wrist fractures, as well as a concussion, his wife said.

Since Soliday’s arrest, his wife said, he has missed several doctor’s appointments, as well as physical therapy.

His neurological symptoms are also worsening, she said.

Before ruling on the bond request, the judge asked pretrial services to inquire with the jail if medical staff there is able to properly care for Soliday.

Soliday and Voigt are co-workers at Bettis Laboratory in West Mifflin.

Flanna Soliday told the court that her husband works as a mechanical engineer for the company and has reported the charges against him to his employer, which works with the federal government.

He has top security clearances and works as a procurement specialist, she said.

Deputy District Attorney Brian Catanzarite said that the Kalkbrenner family opposes Soliday’s release.

Editor’s note: The original version of this story said Soliday was from Irwin. Court records list his home address as North Huntingdon.