Classmates of the late Aiden Lutz honor him by wearing his favorite color to school Friday, Oct. 18, nearly a year after the teen died after a car hit him while he was riding his bike. From left are Ryan Orsborn, Anthony Stoops, Curtis Ordy and Grant Ordy. Submitted photo

Students at Butler Senior High School honored one of their classmates Friday, Oct. 18, by wearing shirts of his favorite color as the anniversary of his death nears.

Aiden Lutz, 15, was died 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.

Students at Butler Senior High School wore yellow in Aiden’s memory Friday, with some students wearing shirts specifically designed to honor Aiden, which were adorned with the words “honoring Aiden” with the school’s cross-country logo underneath.

Prior to his death, Aiden had recently started studying in the automotive technology department at the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School. Aiden was also a member of Butler’s cross country team and the track and field team. He also played recreational soccer in Butler and was a Boy Scout in Troop 6 of the Moraine Trails Council, according to his obituary.

Aiden’s Scout troop has created Little Free Libraries in his honor, as well as gaga ball pits at Camp Bucoco, in the year since his death.

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. Oct. 19, 2023. 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, where he died Oct. 22.

Joshua Rivera, 38, is accused of driving away after striking Aiden. He was initially charged with felony 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.

District Judge Kevin O’Donnell added charges of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and summary driving at an unsafe speed after a preliminary hearing. Earlier this year a felony count of third-degree murder was also added.

He has been held on $500,000 bond since his arrest on Oct. 23, 2023.

A status conference in the case is scheduled for Nov. 1.