15-year-old dies after being struck from behind during hit-and-run
BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - A 15-year-old boy has died after being struck in a hit-and-run on Thursday.
Aiden Lutz was life-flighted to Allegheny General Hospital after the accident. Two people who saw what happened called 911 immediately.
"He was happy, he was doing what he loved."
The 15-year-old boy was out riding his bike in Butler Township Thursday afternoon when a vehicle hit him at Dutchtown and Sugar Creek Road.
Court paperwork shows the driver hit him from behind.
The eyewitnesses KDKA-TV spoke with wanted to remain anonymous but shared what happened.
"We saw the cyclist coming down towards us, he looked very happy, riding his bike, doing nothing wrong. The car came at such high speeds, we didn't realize it was there until the cyclist was hit."
Butler Township police later identified the vehicle and the driver. Joshua A. Rivera was taken into police custody overnight into Sunday and is being housed in the Butler County Prison.
Rivera was wanted for aggravated assault by a motor vehicle, failing to notify police about an accident, and driving with a suspended license and other charges.
Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses are living with the memory of that tragic moment.
"For the cyclist, when I got to him, I told him Jesus loved him, and that's what I felt."
Court documents show Rivera's driver's license was suspended due to a previous DUI.
On Sunday, through a statement from Superintendant Brian J. White, it was confirmed that Lutz had died. Superintendent White released the following statement to the district.
We were deeply saddened to inform you that Aiden Lutz, a 10th grade student at the Senior High School and son of Northwest Elementary teacher Mrs. Tara Lutz, was critically injured in an accident on Thursday afternoon. He passed away today after becoming an organ donor and giving the gift of life to others.
We are committed to having support available for any students and staff members who are in need of grief support at school. In addition, the Center for Community Resources (CCR) Crisis Line is available to any resident of Butler County. The CCR crisis line can be accessed by calling 1-800-292-3866.
Every child is different and will have their own way of expressing their feelings. You know your child better than anybody else. If you see that he or she is grieving, please seek help from our counselors at school or with another trained professional in the community.
The Highmark Caring Place offers resources that may help you identify signs of grief. Hopefully, the information will allow you to help your child through the grieving process.
On behalf of the entire school community, we extend our deepest sympathy to Aiden's family and friends at this difficult time.