Oxnard Man Ordered To Stand Trial For Murder In Alleged Road Rage Incident

Wednesday May 10, 2023

     Following a two day preliminary hearing this week, an Oxnard man was ordered to stand trial for murder in connection with an alleged road rage incident two years ago.

     Prosecutors allege that on the afternoon of April 23, 2021, now 67-year-old Peter Codella of Oxnard and 52-year-old Matias Lopez of Oxnard were involved in what started out as a minor traffic dispute at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Mountain View Avenue in Oxnard.

     They say there was a verbal altercation in the middle of the street after which Codella is alleged to have gotten back into his vehicle and deliberately run down Lopez.

     Prosecutors allege that Codella then fled the scene.

     Lopez was rushed to the hospital and died from his injuries 12 days later.

     Police later identified Codella as their suspect and he was arrested and charged with murder, felony hit and run, and a special allegation of use of a deadly weapon, his vehicle.

     He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied the special allegations.

     Codella remains free on bail and is due back in court on June 14th to be arraigned and have a trial date set.