'He was so adventurous'
<p>The Geisinger children, from left to right: Phoebe, Langston, Teddy and Phillip.</p>
<p>Phillip Geisinger, 8, was riding his bicycle with friends and siblings down Pine Court (pictured at right), when he was struck near the mailbox (pictured at left) by a car traveling eastbound on Aspen Way on Monday in Post Falls. Although the car was traveling at slow speeds and Phillip was wearing a helmet, Phillip died hours later.</p>
<p>Twins Phoebe and Phillip Geisinger, 8. Phillip was riding his bicycle on Monday with friends and his siblings when he was struck by a car at the corner of Aspen Way and Pine Court in Post Falls. He passed away hours later.</p>
<p>Chadd Webster</p>
POST FALLS — Phillip J. Geisinger loved adventures.
The 8-year-old's zest for life came to a sudden and tragic halt on Monday when he died as a result of a vehicle versus bicycle collision while riding his bike in his Pine Villa neighborhood in Post Falls.
"He was adventurous," Phillip's father, Darrin, said while fighting back tears and viewing photos of his kids. "Even though he was home-schooled, he was like a class clown."
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday identified the driver of the 2000 Nissan Maxima that collided with Phillip as Chadd W. Webster, 22, Post Falls. The KCSO hasn't determined who was at fault as an investigation is pending.
Webster was driving on a suspended driver’s license and had an outstanding traffic warrant for failing to appear on a previous charge of driving on an invalid driver’s license.
He was arrested at the scene and booked into the Kootenai County jail for the outstanding warrant as well as possession of drugs (heroin) and drug paraphernalia. He was being held on Tuesday on $50,000 bond and a $226 traffic warrant.
Additional charges may be forthcoming based on the investigation. Toxicology and autopsy results will not be available for several weeks.
Two adult female passengers in the car were interviewed and released from the scene. The intersection is east of Ross Point Road and south of Seltice Way on the city's southeast side.
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Lt. Seth Hohenstreet, who was off duty when he rendered CPR to Phillip after the accident, said Webster had just left his mom's home in the neighborhood when the crash occurred down the street.
According to the KCSO, three juvenile males were riding their bicycles southbound on Pine Court around 3:45 p.m. and turning westbound onto Aspen Way. Phillip, the second bicyclist, turned wide and collided with the driver’s-side quarter panel of the Maxima that was traveling eastbound on Aspen Way. Phillip was wearing a helmet.
A large Ponderosa pine tree is at the northwest corner of the intersection raising the question if visibility was a factor in the crash.
After CPR was rendered, Phillip was transported to Kootenai Health where he was pronounced dead.
Hohenstreet, who lives across the street from the Geisinger family and whose kids play with the Geisinger kids, showed Darrin on Tuesday where the collision occurred. It was only a little more than a block away from their homes.
"I was getting ready to leave and my boys were out front when they saw Phillip's twin sister (Phoebe) crying and saying that Phillip had been hit," Hohenstreet said. "So I jumped on my boy's bike and raced down around the corner where I saw his lifeless body in the road. I did what I could and started CPR."
Hohenstreet said Phillip was a sweet boy who loved his family and to play outside.
"He was willing to try everything" Hohenstreet said. "He was the kind of kid you want your kids to be friends with."
Hohenstreet said both families struck by the tragedy have reached out to each other for support.
"(The Geisingers) aren't angry," he said. "They know this young man (Webster) and his family are devastated as well. The outpouring of love and support speaks well for the Pine Villa neighborhood."
Phillip is also survived by his mother Nicole, 14-year-old brother Langston and 6-year-old brother Teddy.
Neighbors of the Geisinger family have set up a benefit account at all local Numerica Credit Union branches in Phillip Geisinger's name to assist the family with expenses associated with the death.
Darrin said faith is helping holding the family together during the tragedy.
"Phillip is with Jesus," Darrin said. "We know Phillip is with Him."
Darrin said the family is safety-conscious and their kids wear helmets while riding bikes.
"Phillip shouldn't be gone," Darrin said. "I can't believe that blunt force trauma would take my Phillip."
The family moved to Post Falls from Cleveland over the winter.
"We came here last summer, and it seemed like the place to be," Darrin said.
On Sunday Darrin said Phillip handed him two seeds from a dandelion.
"He said, 'This is you and me,'" Darrin said. "Now when I see a dandelion I'll take off every seed but two to remember him."