Police investigate a hit-and-run allegation that involved Tempe Councilmember Berdetta Hodge

This post has been updated to include a statement from the Councilmember.

Police from Tempe and Mesa have investigated whether Tempe Councilmember Berdetta Hodge was involved in a hit-and-run incident in December, where a victim claimed that she fled the scene without exchanging information with the victim. 

A police report stated that the victim did not want to press charges and the case was cleared on Jan. 2.  

After several requests for comment, a member of Hodge's campaign team reached out on Feb. 20.

"This is yet another baseless political attack from desperate opponents.  As an independent law enforcement agency concluded, there was no accident, therefore there can be no hit-and-run.  In a moment where we need unity, it’s sad that we see the politics of division," Hodge stated via email. 

Records obtained from both the Tempe and Mesa Police Departments indicate Hodge was involved in an incident on Dec. 27 where she was driving a black 2011 Mercedes-Benz and came to the line of traffic, where the driver of a grey 2010 Honda claims her vehicle was struck from behind at Southern Avenue and Los Feliz Drive in Tempe. 

Hodge claims both the Honda and her vehicle drove around traffic at the stoplight. The victim claims Hodge reversed and drove around the line of traffic, police said.  

The victim took photos of Hodge’s vehicle when they both stopped at a stoplight at Southern Avenue and Country Club Drive. The victim shared the photos with the Tempe and Mesa Police, where photos and license plate recognition were traced to her vehicle. There was no video surveillance of the event.  

Tempe Police referred the case to Mesa to avoid a conflict of interest.

Hodge told Mesa Police that she did not know that she struck another vehicle and told detectives that “she is a council member and would never flee the scene of an accident,” the report said.  

Mesa Police noted that both vehicles had damage to the back bumper of the Honda and the front bumper of the Mercedes.  

Detective K. Figueroa from Mesa Police stated, “In viewing both vehicles, I noted both to be older in make and model with well-worn exteriors on each, making it difficult to determine what damage was actually related to the alleged incident.”