Phoenix, Ariz. — State detectives are still combing through the tragic details related to the rear-end crash that claimed the life of 57-year-old motorcyclist Dennis Oddo, a valley resident.
The collision occurred at about 12:15 a.m. on Monday, February 16, when 33-year-old Leith Monroe was driving the car that struck Dennis Oddo as he was riding to work on his Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound along I-17 near Happy Valley Road. Mr. Oddo succumbed to his injuries at Honor Health North Mountain Hospital about two hours later.
The impact also forced the motorcycle and Mr. Oddo into the right dirt shoulder, a considerable distance from the point of impact. Monroe continued driving for a tenth of a mile before stopping near the Pinnacle Peak Road off-ramp.
A witness stopped with Mr. Oddo to render first aid and CPR until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived on scene and took over. That is when Mr. Oddo was transported to the hospital with mortal wounds.
Monroe was combative and overall uncooperative with state troopers and detectives. She was taken into custody and booked into the county jail under charges of 2nd degree murder and criminal damage. The DUI portion of the investigation is still underway.
“The message ‘if you see something, say something’ has never been more appropriate as this case. If you see erratic driving, call it in. Get a police officer or trooper the information to find and stop these drivers before they crash and kill other people, and tragically change lives forever,” said Sgt. Alan Haywood, a supervising detective with the Vehicular Crimes Unit (VCU).
