Woman apologizes for hit-and-run that killed cyclist

Turning to face the family of the cyclist she hit and killed more than a year ago, Tammy A. Hodge offered a tearful apology to the family of Robert R. Royer.

“I’m really sorry to the family. I know there’s nothing I can do to make anything easier for them,” she said, her hands shaking.

Hodge, 44, pleaded guilty Monday morning to failing to remain at the scene of the fatal accident, which occurred on the Park Road overpass above Interstate 90 around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2014. She was sentenced to 34 months in prison and ordered to report to jail by the end of the week.

After hitting Royer’s bike, Hodge drove home and went to sleep, according to police reports. She turned herself in to police about 15 hours later after seeing news reports of Royer’s death.

Royer’s family members spoke at the hearing about the 47-year-old’s role as a provider for the family and said he was an engaged father to his newborn son and 6-year-old daughter. They also said they were struggling to come to terms with Hodge’s decision not to stop and try to help Royer after she hit him.

“I don’t think she went out and tried to murder Robert,” said Lisa Dahlman, Royer’s sister-in-law. “Everybody makes mistakes. That’s just one I can’t excuse.”

Hodge’s public defender, Jeffrey Compton, argued for his client to be sentenced as a first-time offender, which would have meant no more than 90 days in jail. He said his client has an avoidant personality and a history of mental health problems, including multiple suicide attempts and admissions to Eastern State Hospital, which made her unable to stop when she hit Royer.

“She just couldn’t do it that night, but … she eventually did,” he said.

Hodge’s daughter, Laura Green, said her mother has been remorseful since the night of the accident.

“She’s not the same, she’s not right. She cries all the time,” Green said.

Dahlman said seeing Hodge look her in the eyes and apologize was “a healing moment.” But she and other family members said they still struggle with Hodge’s choice to not stop.

“They’ll get their mom back,” said Royer’s stepdaughter, Breanna Murray. “We’re not getting our dad back.”