Update: Fatal Traffic Collision
February 22, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that Riverside Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Traffic Team continued 
the investigation into the fatal collision resulting in the death of 44-year-old Joshua Nichols. With the public’s assistance, they obtained information to identify the suspect vehicle and a suspect. On February 20, 2025, deputies located the suspect vehicle leaving a residence in Lake Elsinore and conducted a traffic stop.
Brody Aaron Bird, a 20-year-old Lake Elsinore resident, was arrested and transported to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station. During the investigation, deputies also identified a second suspect involved in this incident. Amber Lauren Lievanos, a 20-year-old Lake Elsinore resident, was also arrested on February 20, 2025, and transported to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station. After interviewing Bird and Lievanos, they were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center. Amber Lievanos was booked for vehicular manslaughter, and Brody Bird was booked for accessory after the fact. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available.
Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Brad Foster
File # L250490004
Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office