Tributes are pouring in for a Victoria athlete described as driven, warm and destined for greatness after she was killed in an alleged hit-and-run while cycling in Arizona.
Hannah Henry, who was from Victoria, died on February 8th, during a training ride in Phoenix when she was struck by a driver who fled the scene. She was 26-years-old.
Her sisters Holly and Heidi are also runners, cyclists and triathletes.
Phoenix police say she was hit from behind while riding in a designated bike lane by a van driven by a 46-year-old man who has since been arrested.
Henry succumbed to her injuries at the scene. According to video footage from the court case, the accused driver allegedly admitted he had been driving but told investigators he did not remember being involved in a crash.
Police claim the suspect told them that when he smokes fentanyl he sometimes passes out and wakes up in different places.
Investigators say damage to the van matched evidence at the scene. Court paperwork states the driver recalled passing a girl on a 10 speed bicycle and believed he corrected his driving after going up onto a curb.
He reportedly told police he thought he had hit a fire hydrant.
Police claim he continued driving after the collision and later purchased more drugs.
Officers say they found two blue straws with burnt ends in his pocket, items commonly associated with smoking fentanyl.
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He faces charges including reckless manslaughter, leaving the scene of a deadly crash, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotic drugs. A judge granted a $750,000 cash only bond.
In a statement released following her death, Triathlon Canada said the entire community is heartbroken over the passionate athlete’s passing.
“Born with a passion to swim, bike and run, Henry completed her first triathlon at just [9-years-old],” said Triathlon Canada.
“She quickly rose through Canada’s development pathway and built what the organization described as an extraordinary list of accomplishments.”
Henry represented Canada as part of the silver medal winning relay team at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
She was also among the first athletes to compete in NCAA triathlon while representing the Arizona State Sun Devils.
During her collegiate career, she claimed back to back individual titles at the USAT Collegiate National Championships in 2017 and 2018 and was named the 2017 to 2018 USA Triathlon Division I Freshman of the Year and an All American.
Henry first made her mark nationally representing BC at the 2017 Canada Games where she earned three medals, including two gold and one silver.
Triathlon Canada also described Henry as a wonderful young woman, teammate and friend who was always pursuing her next goal with a smile. Most recently she had been preparing to improve her time at the Boston Marathon.
Henry’s death has sent shockwaves through the triathlon and cycling communities in Canada and the United States, and especially in Victoria where her journey first began.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to Hannah’s family, friends, teammates and all who had the privilege of knowing her,” the organization concluded.
