Two suspects were arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a Southern California man.
Brody Aaron Bird, 20, and Amber Lauren Lievanos, 20, both Lake Elsinore residents, were arrested for the death of Josh Nichols, 44, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
On Feb. 18, around 1 a.m., Nichols was walking home with his dog after a night out when he was struck by a vehicle on Riverside Drive, just west of Baker Street in Lake Elsinore.
Arriving deputies found Nichols injured and lying facedown on the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver fled before authorities arrived.
The only description deputies had was that the fleeing car was likely a dark-colored vehicle with front-end damage.
With help from the public, investigators gathered enough information to identify a suspect.
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The victim, Josh Nichols, 44, and his child, is seen in a family photo. -
The victim, Josh Nichols, 44, is seen in a family photo. -
The victim’s dog, Woodson, who remains missing, is seen in a family photo. -
A makeshift memorial honoring Josh Nichols can be seen along Riverside Drive in Lake Elsinore. (KTLA)
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Riverside Drive in Lake Elsinore. (KTLA) -
The victim’s brother, Jason Nichols, speaks to KTLA on Feb. 20, 2025. He hopes the hit-and-run driver is caught soon. (KTLA) -
Josh Nichols is seen with close friends in a personal photo. -
Josh Nichols, (left) is seen with his best friend, Jeff Hippen, in a personal photo.
On Feb. 20, deputies spotted the suspect car leaving a Lake Elsinore home and conducted a traffic stop where one suspect, Bird, was arrested. A second suspect, Lievanos, was later identified and taken into custody on the same day.
After interviewing Bird and Lievanos, they were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center. Lievanos was booked for vehicular manslaughter and Bird was booked for accessory after the fact.
Although the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash remain unclear, Nichols’ friends believe it’s possible that his dog, Woodson, had somehow broken free from his leash and Nichols may have been killed while trying to retrieve the dog.
Loved ones described Nichols as someone who was kind and always offered his support to those in need. He leaves behind a young child and friends and family.
A GoFundMe link to help Nichols’ family with funeral expenses can be found here.
Police said Nichols’ dog, Woodson, remains missing. No further details were released as the case remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information on the case can call Deputy Keyser at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245-3300 or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099.
