Family Condemns 10-Year Sentence in Triathlete’s Death

Hodge pleaded guilty to manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal accident in Maricopa County. Henry, 26, was cycling in a marked bicycle lane in southern Phoenix on February 8 when Hodge’s van struck her. She died at the scene. The sentence includes 10 years in prison and five years of probation, as recommended by prosecutors under the plea deal.

Henry’s mother, Della Doore, told the court the agreement had not offered her daughter a choice. She said Henry had been riding her bike on a Sunday morning and that the family would miss the future they had hoped to share with her, including seeing her marry and have children.

Police tracked Hodge to his home the day after the crash. Investigators said damage to his van matched evidence from the scene, and clothing fragments were found beneath the vehicle. Hodge told police he remembered seeing a cyclist but believed he had later struck a fire hydrant. He said he had fallen asleep after taking fentanyl and apologized to the family.

After the hearing, Doore said Hodge kept his head down during the family’s statements and while Henry’s father showed home videos. Hodge apologized to the family during sentencing and said he had not meant to kill Henry.

Henry won individual triathlon titles at the U.S. collegiate national triathlon championships in 2017 and 2018 while competing for Arizona State. She also represented Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games and had competed in triathlons since age nine.