Antonio Benitez, of Garden City Park, was riding an e-bike when he was fatally struck on Saturday night in North New Hyde Park.
Detectives say Benitez was being chased by NYPD officers from Bellerose, Queens, where they say he was a possible suspect in a knife-point robbery.
Police say he was possibly one of four teens who mugged a 14-year-old and a knife was found on him.
"There are just two parts that are just trying to come together to really form a correct story and a baseline as to where everything went wrong, where things started from, it's minimal what we really know," his cousin named Amanda said.
The teen's loved ones are heartbroken and say Benitez was a great kid. They are having a tough time believing he was part of a robbery and want more answers from police.
According to a GoFundMe, Benitez was a New Hyde Park Memorial student who was passionate about lacrosse, football, and biking with his friends.
The GoFundMe says that Benitez was known for his kindness, humor and deep love for his family and friends.
The driver who police say hit Benitez, 28-year-old Ruyan Ali, did not have a license.
He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with fatality, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree, and multiple other traffic violations.
Ali pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Sunday in Nassau District Court and the judge gave him $100,000 bond.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More Manhattan news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube