Six months on, police still mulling charges over death of teen hit while riding his bike

SIX months after a 15-year-old died when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle, police are still determining whether to charge the driver.

Samuel Raymond Crooks, 21, was behind the wheel of a Toyota HiLux that was involved in a crash with a bicycle on Wollombi Road at Bishops Bridge about 8.40pm on February 15.

The bike rider, Phoenix Ison, was treated by paramedics, but tragically died at the scene.

Crooks, a P-plater, was arrested due to the serious nature of the crash and allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.024.

While the reading is below the legal limit for full licence holders, provisional drivers are required to maintain a zero blood-alcohol concentration.

Crooks has not been charged with causing the crash.

He was represented by solicitor James Janke when he appeared in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday charged with special range drink driving.

Mr Janke said he intended to plead guilty and have the matter finalised, but police prosecutors would not accept the plea.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jess Gordon said investigators were still considering laying charges over the crash and the matter was currently "subject to a serious motor vehicle collision review".

Sgt Gordon said the brief was still outstanding and asked for an adjournment before accepting a plea to the drink driving charge.

Mr Janke had stressed that given the low blood-alcohol reading, any plea would have no impact on the investigation or police laying any other charges against Crooks.

But Judge Ian Rodgers said it was in the interest of justice that he adjourn the matter to see whether police intended to lay any charges relating to the crash.

Crooks will return to court on September 23, when it is anticipated police will have made a decision.

The Newcastle Herald reported in February that Phoenix's mum, Nikki, was in the kitchen at their home when she heard the crash.

She went outside to investigate and said it was "bittersweet" to be there for her son's final moments.

"No mum should have to witness what I was confronted with, but I'm so grateful that I got to be there for those final moments and comfort him," Ms Ison said.

The Maitland High School student was remembered as a "cheeky" teenager who wasn't afraid to show affection, had no hate for anyone and always tried to make people smile.