Victoria triathlete Hannah Henry died in early February after an alleged hit-and-run while cycling in Phoenix, Arizona.
According to news reports in Arizona, she was killed while riding her bike in south-bound lane just before 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 8. According to AZFamily, the driver swerved into the lane, hitting Henry before fleeing the scene.
Eric Dustin Hodge, 46, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death or injury, narcotic drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Judicial Branch of Arizona. Hodge is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court on Feb. 18.
Henry, 26, was a 2017 graduate of Mount Douglas Secondary School.
She found her love for competing early, finishing her first triathlon at the age of nine.
Henry would later represent B.C. at the 2017 Canada Games, winning two gold medals and a silver, and earned podium finishes at Triathlon Canada’s National Championships.
She also won silver as part of Team Canada’s relay at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru.
After graduating from Mt. Doug, Henry went on to compete for Arizona State University in triathlon.
During her time at ASU, she won back-to-back individual titles at the USAT Collegiate National Championships in 2017 and 2018.
Sun Devils’ triathlon head coach Cliff English said the loss carries a lot of grief within their program.
“We lost an incredible person who had wonderful relationships in our program,” English said.
“Her passing has us filled with grief because she was more than a great student-athlete, she was a proud graduate of Arizona State who cared deeply about the program and everyone that was and is a part of it.”
Henry graduated from ASU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in business entrepreneurship and a minor in nutrition and healthy living. She completed her master’s degree in global management with a focus on sustainability solutions in 2023.
Triathlon BC said Henry “could always be found with a smile” and extended “our deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to Hannah’s family, friends and fellow competitors.”
“Beyond her accomplishments, Hannah was a warm and generous friend, and could always be found with a smile on her face,” they wrote in a social media post.
Triathlon Canada echoed that statement in a social media post, saying the community is “heartbroken to learn of the passing of Canadian triathlete Hannah Henry” and described her as a young woman “whose talent and relentless drive left an extraordinary mark on the sport.”
Holly Henry, Hannah’s sister, shared her grief on social media as well.
“Hannah’s life was way too short and I’m so incredibly sad, angry and heartbroken to lose my sister and one of my best friends,” she wrote. “There are no words to describe how much Hannah meant to me, my family, and all of her friends and loved ones.”
“Hannah was the hardest working person, so ambitious, driven, and caring to everyone around her. She was beautiful inside and out and did not deserve to go so soon. I don’t know what life will be like anymore without her, but it won’t be as fun and I’ll miss her every single day.”
“I love you Hannah and miss you so much,” she added.
The cycling community held a ghost bike ceremony on Feb. 15 to honour Henry at Tempe Town Lake in Arizona.
Ghost Bikes are small and somber memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street.
A bicycle is painted all white and locked to a street sign near the crash site, accompanied by a small plaque.
They serve as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of cyclists’ right to safe travel.