Girlfriend accused of aiding hit-and-run driver
Butler Township police charged a woman 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 week.
The hunt for Rivera, 38, ended early Sunday morning, Oct. 22, at the Comfort Inn in Butler Township. He was discovered with his girlfriend, Nicole L. Kelly, 31, who was subsequently charged with a misdemeanor.
Rivera was accused of striking Aiden Lutz, 15, who was riding his electric bike down Dutchtown Road near the intersection of Sugar Creek Drive around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
According to witnesses, a white sedan traveling at a high rate of speed struck the bike from behind and sent Lutz flying. Rivera was later identified as the driver of the sedan.
Aiden died from his injuries in Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Aiden was a sophomore at Butler Senior High School.
Rivera was charged Friday 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.
According to documents filed against Kelly, police questioned her Friday evening about Rivera’s whereabouts. Police said she allowed them to search her home, and she was informed to contact law enforcement if Rivera contacted her or tried to see her.
Police said they received a tip about Rivera’s whereabouts, and he and Kelly were discovered at the Comfort Inn around 1:48 a.m. Sunday. Kelly told police she had met up with Rivera and the two had discussed the option of him turning himself in, documents showed.
Police accused Kelly of making no attempt to contact police about Rivera’s location. She was also placed in Butler County Prison on Sunday in lieu of $10,000 bail. She was released Monday.
According to court documents, Rivera has several arrests to his name dating to 2004 for offenses including burglary, theft, aggravated assault and DUI. He was charged with DUI in December 2021 and again in February this year for a stop in December 2022. Documents further showed he was cited Oct. 14 with driving with a suspended license.
Rivera’s preliminary hearing is scheduled Nov. 2 before District Judge Kevin O’Donnell.
