Man arrested in connection with deadly hit-and-run crash: Phoenix Police

Driver accused of killing cyclist while high on fentanyl

Phoenix Police arrested 46-year-old Eric Dustin Hodge after he allegedly struck and killed bicyclist Hannah Rose Henry, 26, in a hit-and-run crash Feb. 8. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz has the details.

PHOENIX - Phoenix Police say an arrest has been made in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left a bicyclist dead over the weekend.

The backstory:

Officers responded to the area of Central Avenue and Elwood Street at around 11:18 a.m. on Feb. 8 for reports of a person on a bicycle who had been hit by another car.

"When officers arrived at the scene, they located the adult female, later identified as Hannah Rose Henry, in critical condition. The Phoenix Fire Department arrived on the scene and pronounced her deceased," Phoenix Police said. "The driver of the vehicle involved did not remain at the scene."

Investigators say they found the car allegedly involved, and contacted an adult man, who they say "admitted to being involved in the collision."

The suspect has been identified as Eric Dustin Hodge, 46.

According to court documents for Hodge, investigators found the vehicle allegedly involved in the crash parked at a home in the area of 3rd Avenue and Buckeye Road. Police officers then knocked on the home's door, and the van's registered owner answered the door and said his friend was driving the vehicle.

"The registered owner asked [Hodge] to come outside, but [Hodge] was exiting the back door of the condo," court documents said. "Officers were able to contact [Hodge]."

Eric Hodge

Investigators said Hodge later admitted to driving the vehicle, but did not remember being in a crash.

"[Hodge] stated during an interview that when he smokes fentanyl, he passes out randomly, and wakes up in different places," court documents stated.

What they're saying:

Hodge was reportedly driving when he veered into the bike lane, hitting Henry, according to court documents. Investigators said Hodge ran over Henry and drove onto the sidewalk before driving away.

During his initial court appearance Monday, Hodge displayed a range of emotions. He appeared to laugh when prosecutor Stephen Garcia requested a $750,000 cash bond, but later covered his face as the details of the crash were read aloud.

The judge had to reprimand Hodge after he repeatedly interrupted the proceedings. "Mr. Hodge, I need you to wait for Mr. Garcia to finish, OK?" the judge said.

According to police, Hodge admitted to using fentanyl before getting behind the wheel and falling asleep. He maintained in court that he was unaware he had struck a person.

"I didn't know that I hit anybody," Hodge said. "I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I was off the road a little bit. And I had no idea that I had hit anybody, I really didn't. I'm not a violent person."

Hodge told the court he believed he had hit a fire hydrant. "I am so heartbroken that I would trade my life in a second if I could," he said.

What's next:

Hodge is accused of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 13.

Area where the incident happened