Man Charged with Manslaughter Following Fatal Incident in Odessa, Pushed Victim into Traffic
The Odessa Police Department has arrested 47-year-old Jeffery Jerome Light in connection to a fatal incident that occurred early Wednesday morning in Southwest Odessa.
On March 12, 2025, at approximately 3:42 a.m., officers responded to IH-20 and FM 1936 regarding a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found a deceased male identified as 23-year-old Cody Wilkerson.
Investigators determined that Light and Wilkerson had been involved in an altercation inside a vehicle before both exited while it was stopped in the intersection. Further investigation revealed that Light recklessly pushed Wilkerson into the roadway, where he was struck by a passing vehicle.
Wilkerson was pronounced deceased at the scene, and his next of kin were notified.
Light was charged with Manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and transported to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center.
