Motorcyclist Dennis Oddo killed in Arizona 021816 photo courtesy of ABC15.com
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).
From The Arizona Republic
Leith Monroe DWI fatal crash Maricopa County Sheriff Prior Offender
A woman involved in a Phoenix freeway wreck that left a motorcyclist dead was driving drunk at the time of the crash, according to Arizona Department of Public Safety officials.
Leith Monroe, 33, is facing charges of second-degree murder and driving while under the influence after her car rear-ended a motorcycle early Tuesday morning on Interstate 17 near Happy Valley Road, according to court documents.
The motorcyclist, Dennis Oddo, 57, died at a hospital from his injuries.
DPS troopers found several empty bottles of alcohol in Monroe’s car at the scene. A witness to the crash said Monroe appeared to “stumble around” when she got out of her car.
Troopers said Monroe resisted arrest and attempted to take the needle out of her arm when receiving a blood test.
Monroe, of the Many Farms community on the Navajo Reservation, has a prior history of DUI charges and resisting arrest, according to court documents. Her driver’s license had been suspended for a DUI conviction. .…MORE
Dennis Oddo remembered by friends 021816 photo courtesy of Fox 10 KSAZ
