Channel 11 speaks to family of 15-year-old Serra Catholic cheerleader killed in school van crash

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — It has been two months since a 15-year-old Serra Catholic cheerleader was killed in a crash on her way to school.

Family and friends gathered at her gravesite on the two-month mark and they later gathered for a prayer service at her church.

Channel 11 spoke to Samantha Kalkbrenner’s heartbroken family for the very first time since she died.

“When it’s my time, we will meet again, but not yet,” her father, Carl Kalkbrenner, said.

It was a solemn evening for Carl and Nenita Kalkbrenner.

“I’ve cried a lot today because it marked our second month,” Carl Kalkbrenner said.

With Thanksgiving just days away, the Kalkbrenners will struggle to celebrate without Sam.

“Thanksgiving was their holiday. Like, it was just them three. I know this is going to be really hard this year because it was always their own tradition,” family friend Danielle LaRue said.

“This year will be the first year we won’t have that,” Carl Kalkbrenner said.

Instead, the Kalkbrenners will spend the holiday like almost every other day — at their daughter’s gravesite surrounded by so many who love Sam.

“Every single time we’ve been here there’s either been people here already that we know, or they show up while we’re here, so we’ve never been alone,” Carl Kalkbrenner said.

In just 15 short years, the Kalkbrenners say their daughter made quite an impact on others.

“Samantha was as close to perfect as a child can get. She loved her life and everything in it. For those who knew her, they all loved her,” Carl Kalkbrenner said.

In the two months since her passing, Allegheny County police have not filed any charges or announced any arrests.

Now, family and friends are pleading for justice.

“They deserve some type of closure, some type of answer,” LaRue said. “I just don’t understand why we haven’t had any names, we haven’t heard any charges filed. They’re just giving them little breadcrumbs and I don’t think it’s fair.”

Channel 11 reached out to County Police today who told us this is still an active, ongoing investigation, but there are no updates at this time.

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