Nathan Huber

Another person was charged with hindering the apprehension of Joshua Rivera, who officers sought for days following a hit-and-run crash involving a 15-year-old bicyclist last month, according to charges filed Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Butler Township police charged Nathan R. Huber, 33, of Slippery Rock, with a misdemeanor after he was accused of knowing Rivera’s whereabouts following the crash that killed Aiden Lutz on Oct. 20.

Rivera was accused of striking Aiden’s electric bike with his vehicle on Dutchtown Road near the intersection of Sugar Creek Drive. Aiden died from his injuries in Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was a sophomore at Butler Senior High School.

The hunt for Rivera, 38, ended early Oct. 22 at the Comfort Inn in Butler Township. He was discovered with his girlfriend, Nicole L. Kelly, 31, who was also charged with a misdemeanor of hindering apprehension Oct. 22.

According to charging documents, Huber was in the bathroom when police discovered Rivera. Documents claim that Huber had paid for the room at the Comfort Inn.

Huber initially denied knowing Rivera when questioned by police, documents showed. Officers indicated they spoke with Huber again Oct. 30 at the Butler County Prison.

Police said Huber denied knowing Rivera in the second interview, saying they first met early Oct. 22. Huber told officers he’d rented a room at the Comfort Inn and was later contacted by Kelly, who said she was visiting and bringing a friend.

Documents showed Kelly and Rivera arrived at the Comfort Inn, and Huber took a shower in the hotel room shortly before police arrived.

Huber eventually retracted his statement, telling police he was friends with Rivera. He disclosed Rivera had reached out to him by phone on Oct. 21. At the time, Rivera was staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Butler Township, documents showed, and Huber visited him.

Huber then invited Rivera and Kelly to stay in his hotel room at the Comfort Inn, police said.

Documents indicated Huber made no attempt to notify police of Rivera’s whereabouts. Huber’s preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Police also accused Kelly of making no attempt to contact police about Rivera’s location. She was placed in Butler County Prison Oct. 22 in lieu of $10,000 bail, and later released. She waived her preliminary hearing Nov. 9.

In connection to the crash and subsequent search, Rivera was charged with 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.

He was placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled Dec. 14 before District Judge Kevin O’Donnell.