Community mourning death of Serra Catholic teen, 15, killed in school van crash; 5 others injured

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Community members are mourning and demanding action after a 15-year-old girl was killed and other students injured following a violent crash involving a school van in Dravosburg Wednesday morning.

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Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner, 15, was tragically killed in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday.

A Serra Catholic High School student, later identified as Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner, was killed.
Three other students were taken to local hospitals in stable condition and two men, the drivers, were taken in critical condition, according to Allegheny County police.
Kalkbrenner was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Allegheny County Police, the crash was reported around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Richland Avenue and Third Street.
Police said a Serra Catholic van trying to turn left onto Richland Avenue was struck by a car traveling north on Richland.
Allegheny County Homicide and Collision Reconstruction Units are investigating.
Allegheny County police are asking anyone with information regarding the crash to call an anonymous tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
A neighbor in the area, Jodi Trimnal, was not home at the time of the crash, but said she could not believe the news Wednesday, as she fielded calls from neighbors and friends.
She has lived at her First Street home her entire life and said the intersection has always been a problem.
While she said her neighbors and others have placed signs in the area of the accident, it is a state road and nothing has been done.
“It doesn’t have much to do with the borough,” she said. “There is an accident there almost every month. It’s been that way my entire life, it’s dangerous. It happens a lot, but in the last month I would say it has happened once a week it seems like.
“There needs to be lights, there needs to be signs, there needs to be something,” she said. “There always has been problems. It’s bad. It’s bad, bad.”
Several witnesses tried to help the crash victims.
“We saw the fire and I said that’s a school bus and he pulled over right up here,” Jessica McCauley told WTAE-TV.
McCauley and her husband were driving their young son to school when they happened on the crash.
“My husband ran over, put the fire out, and I ran over to the kids and took my sweatshirt off, started putting it on the kids, trying to help stop bleeding and keep them alert,” McCauley said.
McCauley said she called 911, and tried to lift the van, which had rolled, off of Kalkbrenner. They couldn’t.
Richland Avenue, according to the West Mifflin Volunteer No. 3 Fire Co. reopened around 12:45 p.m., after being closed in both directions for several hours.
In a Facebook post, Serra Catholic High School stated that all school classes and activities are canceled through Sunday.
The post states: “Teachers will be here tomorrow (Thursday) as well as grief counselors for any student who wishes to talk with someone individually or in a small group setting. We will not have normal transportation tomorrow, however, our doors will be open for our students from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A public prayer service is being planned for 7 p.m. todat on the campus.
“The Serra Catholic school community is close-knit, and this has deeply impacted many. The principal, president, staff, teachers, and the school chaplain, along with the diocesan school superintendent and assistant superintendent have been working to comfort school families and each other,” the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh stated in a press release. “…We are indebted to the first responders and the doctors and medical staffs who are taking care of the victims.”
Counselors from Serra Catholic and other Catholic high schools are available to help those in need, the statement said.
“At a time like this we become aware of how precious life is and how important it is to support each other not only during tragedy but always,” Bishop David Zubik said. “We ask for your prayers for everyone involved as the school community struggles with their shock and grief.”
In response to the tragedy, the neighboring McKeesport School District announced it had postponed the school board meeting Wednesday night and rescheduled it for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26.
Dozens of residents and local organizations took to social media after the accident to offer their condolences and to remember the teen.
In a social media post Wednesday night, Steel City Dance Academy said, “Sam always had a beautiful big smile on her face during class, and had the most contagious laugh. Steel City Academy of Dance is a dance family, and we will forever dance for our angel, Sam.”
“It is with the heaviest of hearts we share that one of our advanced dancers, Samantha Kalkbrenner passed away this morning after being involved in a school van accident in Dravosburg. Our condolences go to Samantha’s parents, Nenita and Carl, all other family members, friends, and the Serra Catholic Community. We also hold a special place in our hearts for our dance family as we all lost a bright, beautiful, priceless part of our family today.”
The Borough of Dravosburg also sent their condolences via a Facebook post.
“It is with heavy hearts that we must mourn the loss of one of our own borough residents. Our sincere and deepest condolences to Mr. And Mrs. Kalkbrenner in the loss of their beautiful daughter, Samantha, while traveling to school this morning,” the post states. “This was a horrific accident and we will keep all the victims and families in our thoughts and prayers.”