Man Charged With Manslaughter After Pushing Victim Into Traffic in Odessa

ODESSA, TX – A man has been arrested and charged with manslaughter after allegedly pushing another man into the roadway, leading to his death early Wednesday morning.

According to the Odessa Police Department, officers responded to a call at around 3:40 a.m. at the intersection of Interstate 20 and FM 1936, where a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found 23-year-old Cody Wilkerson deceased at the scene.

Investigators determined that Wilkerson and 47-year-old Jeffery Jerome Light had been involved in an altercation inside a vehicle before both exited while it was stopped in the intersection. Authorities said Light then recklessly pushed Wilkerson into the roadway, where he was hit by a passing vehicle.

Wilkerson was pronounced deceased at the scene, and his next of kin were notified. Based on the investigation, Light was arrested and charged with second-degree felony manslaughter. He was transported to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center.

No further details have been released.