Butler student Aiden Lutz dies after hit-and-run
A Butler Area Senior High School student has died from injuries he suffered when his bicycle was struck by a hit-and-run driver Thursday, the Butler Area School District confirmed Sunday.
Aiden Lutz, 15, was pronounced dead at Allegheny General Hospital on Sunday, Oct. 22, four days after being struck from behind while riding his bicycle on Dutchtown Road in Butler Township.
Lutz’s death was confirmed in a message sent to families of the Butler Area School District, where Lutz was a 10th-grader. His mother, Tara, is a teacher at Northwest Elementary School.
The crash occurred as Lutz was riding his electric bike down Dutchtown Road near the intersection of Sugar Creek Drive around 3:30 p.m. According to witnesses, a white sedan traveling at a high rate of speed struck the bike from behind and sent Lutz flying.
Lutz was taken by LifeFlight to Allegheny General Hospital.
Earlier Sunday, the man accused of striking Lutz with his sedan was taken into custody.
The Butler Township Police Department announced on social media they arrested Joshua A. Rivera after two days of searching. Rivera, 38, is accused of striking Lutz with his vehicle and fleeing the scene.
Rivera was taken to Butler County Prison. He faces seven charges, including aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and failure to notify police of an accident.
According to court documents, Rivera has a host of arrests to his name dating to 2004 for offenses including burglary, theft and aggravated assault. Documents show he was charged Oct. 14 with driving with a suspended license.
On Saturday, a GoFundMe was set up to benefit the Lutz family. As of early evening Sunday, more than 350 people had donated more than $23,000 on the fundraising website.
Friends of the family learned of Aiden’s death from a comment from his father, Benjamin.
“For the three days, we have begged and prayed for a miracle. I think the true miracle is that we were blessed with 15 years with this amazing young man,” Benjamin wrote. “He made us parents, taught us how to love fiercely, how to enjoy life, and he always made us laugh. Our lives will never be the same without his infectious smile, his passion, or his love.”
The Butler Area School District will have support available for those who are grieving in the wake of Aiden’s death.
Aiden was an organ donor.
