Man accused of hitting 15-year-old bicyclist, police requesting help in search
A Butler man was accused of hitting a 15-year-old bicyclist with his vehicle on Dutchtown Road on Thursday, according to documents filed Friday, Oct. 20.
Butler Township police charged Joshua A. Rivera, 38, with felonies aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving injury while not properly licensed, accidents involving injury, misdemeanor property damage and traffic citations of reckless driving, failing to notify police about an accident and driving with a suspended license.
As of Friday evening, Rivera has not yet been arrested. Anyone with information about Rivera’s whereabouts is asked to contact Butler Township police at 724-285-9600.
According to charging documents, the crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. as the 15-year-old was riding his electric bike south on Dutchtown Road near the intersection with Sugar Creek Drive. Witnesses reported he was traveling on the right side of the road.
Butler Area School District superintendent Brian White confirmed Friday that the boy struck was a student in the district.
“I have a recent communication from the family that he has not passed away, but the situation is not good,” White said.
Witnesses told police a white sedan traveling south at a high rate of speed hit the electric bike from behind and sent the 15-year-old flying from his bike onto the road, documents showed.
Police said witnesses reported the sedan driver stopped his vehicle and started to scream “Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” several times, before driving away.
Pieces of the vehicle’s front bumper were found on scene and were determined to be part of a white Kia sedan, police said. A vehicle matching the witness’ description was then found in the backyard of a residence on Dutchtown Road, according to officers. Penn Township police officers saw a man lock the car and flee into a nearby wooded area.
The vehicle’s registration identified Rivera as the owner, and Penn Township police identified him as the man fleeing the scene, documents showed.
Police said Rivera has a suspended driver’s license due to a previous DUI. Court records showed he was charged with DUI in December 2021.
Another witness, a resident of Dutchtown Road, told police Rivera walked into his house around 4 p.m. that day and said he “hit something with his car” before leaving the residence, according to documents.
The bicyclist was first transported to Butler Memorial Hospital. He was then flown to a Pittsburgh hospital by a LifeFlight helicopter to receive treatment for traumatic injuries to his head, neck and back, documents showed.
