INDIANAPOLIS — The driver charged with hitting and killing 14-year-old Wilberto Rivera III on the east side of Indianapolis is now in jail after an initial court hearing. The arrest comes nearly two weeks after the deadly crash happened on Cumberland Road, near 10th Street.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, 35-year-old Joshua Raine turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest the previous week.
13News asked Raine’s attorney about the allegations before the hearing.
“No, we don’t have a comment. He has an attorney. We have no comment. Thank you,” attorney Todd Luers Sallee said.
Rivera's family also showed up Tuesday after pleading for an arrest for nearly two weeks.
They then learned the suspect was someone they knew.
“I’m glad that he is in custody, and I hope he doesn’t drag us through a bunch of stuff because he knows what he did,” said Heather Harvelle, Rivera’s aunt.
According to court documents, Rivera was hit and killed while riding his bike with friends during fall break.
Police say Raine didn’t stop and told investigators he assumed he hit a deer. Officers found pieces of his car at the scene, including a personalized license plate. A neighbor also provided video of the crash.
Investigators say Raine showed up at the police station the next day. However, charges weren't filed until about a week later. That's when the warrant was issued for his arrest.
At the time of the crash, Raine was also on probation for a separate case.
“If it weren't for the warrant issued and him already being in trouble for a previous case, I don't think he would've been here, and if it wasn't for his license plate on the ground. I don't think we would be here. I don't think he would've told,” Harvelle said.
After the hearing, Raine was taken into custody inside the courtroom and booked into the Marion County Jail.
The judge granted him an $80,000 surety bond. However, Raine's bond was revoked in the other case for violating probation. This means he is not allowed to post bond at the moment.
On Tuesday, his attorney filed a motion for a bond review. His trial is currently set for December.