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Background: News footage of the area of Phoenix, Ariz., where Hannah Henry was killed on Feb. 8 (KPHO). Inset (left): Eric Hodge (Maricopa County Sheriff”s Office). Inset (right): Hannah Henry (Sun Devil Athletics).
A tragic incident unfolded in Arizona when a man claimed to have “fallen asleep” at the wheel, resulting in a fatal hit-and-run accident involving a cyclist. Authorities have revealed that the driver, Eric Hodge, was allegedly under the influence of fentanyl at the time of the incident.
Eric Hodge, aged 46, is currently detained at the Maricopa County Jail with a bail set at $750,000 in cash. His court appearance on Monday marked the beginning of legal proceedings where he faces charges including reckless manslaughter. The charges are linked to the unfortunate death of 26-year-old cyclist Hannah Henry, who was struck on Sunday. According to documents sourced by KPHO, a local CBS affiliate, the tragedy occurred when Hodge allegedly veered into the bike lane near Central Avenue and Elwood Street in Phoenix, hitting Henry from behind, and then continued driving without stopping.
Authorities reported that Hodge confessed to having consumed fentanyl shortly before driving and admitted to purchasing additional drugs post-incident.
Investigators traced the van involved in the collision through traffic camera footage to a residential address. The registered owner of the van cooperated with police, confirming Hodge as the driver. However, in an attempt to evade law enforcement, Hodge reportedly exited the house through a back door when called upon by the van’s owner. His brief escape was thwarted as officers quickly apprehended him for questioning.
During the interrogation, as detailed in court records, Hodge admitted to using fentanyl before getting into the van. He described a pattern of losing consciousness after drug use, stating he “passes out randomly and wakes up in different places.” While he recalled seeing “a girl on a 10-speed bicycle,” he mistakenly believed he had collided with a fire hydrant. Following the accident, Hodge proceeded to purchase $100 worth of fentanyl, further complicating his legal woes.
Police said they found drug paraphernalia in Hodge’s pockets after they brought him in.
KPHO reported that Henry, a former triathlete, was found by first responders in critical condition with serious injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During his court appearance, Hodge told the judge, “I didn’t know that I hit anybody. I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I was off the road a little bit.”
State prosecutor Stephen Garcia called Hodge a “danger to the community.” The judge seemed to agree, and set Hodge’s bail at $750,000 cash.
Hodge was charged with reckless manslaughter, leaving the scene of a deadly crash, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of narcotic drugs. His next court date was scheduled for Feb. 13.