Driver in Springfield crash that killed teen had empty heroin packets in car, prosecutor says

UPDATE: The Hampden District Attorney's office has identified the victim as 13-year-old Nathaniel Acevedo.

SPRINGFIELD - The driver charged with leaving the scene of a Sunday night crash that killed a 13-year-old pedestrian entered an innocent plea at his arraignment Monday in Springfield District Court.

Joshua Cutler, 35, of Springfield, has been charged by Springfield police with leaving the scene of an accident.

Judge Michael Mulcahey ordered Cutler to be held in lieu of $35,000 cash bail. He is currently being held for 90 days without bail, however, because his bail has been revoked in a previous case.

Police charge Cutler was driving the car that struck two teens as they crossed Breckwood Boulevard at around 7:15 p.m.

One of the teens, a 13-year-old boy, was pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center. His name has not yet been released to the media.

The other teen suffered minor injuries, according to police. 

Assistant District Attorney Robert Schmidt told the court that when police searched Cutler's car, they found three empty heroin packets.

"The officers noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and he was sweating profusely," Schmidt said.

No additional charges have been filed against Cutler beyond leaving the scene. "We are still investigating the OUI portion of the case, Schmidt said.

Cutler has a significant criminal history, including charges of armed robbery and possession of heroin in 2008, Schmidt said.

Defense lawyer Matthew Fleischner, who represented Cutler during the arraignment and argued for a lower bail, said his client has been "100 percent cooperative" with police and voluntarily provided urine and blood samples to police.

Cutler who has a job and lives at home with his mother and father, was preparing to return to the scene when police found him at his home, Fleischner said.

The crash remains under investigation by Springfield police and the Hampden District Attorney.