PHOENIX, AZ – A female cyclist died, and a suspect was arrested following a hit-and-run collision that happened southwest of the Sky Harbor Phoenix International Airport on Saturday.
The hit-and-run collision occurred before 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of South Central Avenue and East Elwood Street, according to Fox10Phoenix.
The suspect, later identified as 46-year-old Eric Dustin Hodge, immediately fled the scene after crashing into the female cyclist.
The cyclist died from her injuries at the scene and has since been identified as Hannah Rose Henry.
Police were able to track down the vehicle that Hodge drove at a condo home located off the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Buckeye Road. The homeowner answered and told police that Hodge was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
Hodge was also at the home and was seen going through the back door of the condo. Police made contact with Hodge, who admitted to operating the vehicle while using fentanyl.
Court documents revealed that Hodge lost control of his friend’s borrowed van, went into the bike lane, and then crashed into Henry on her bicycle.
In a court appearance on Monday, Hodge claimed he thought he struck a fire hydrant. During that time, prosecutor Stephen Garcia requested a $750,000 cash bond for Hodge. The bond will not be fully exonerated until Hodge completes all court appearances, including one scheduled for this upcoming Friday, Feb. 13.
No official charges have been put forth. However, Hodge is facing accusations of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
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