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The trial of San Manuel resident David Arnoldo Mota in what is called a deadly road rage incident in Oro Valley began Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Pima County Superior Court.
Mota was charged with first degree murder, drive by shooting, and aggravated assault in the incident that occurred on Feb. 28, 2013 that resulted in the death of 22 year old Joshua Switalski. The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. when it is alleged that Mota fired two shots at Switalski’s vehicle after being involved in a verbal altercation with Switalski and his girlfriend while both vehicles were traveling north on Oracle Road near First Ave. in Oro Valley.
Opening statements by the prosecution said Switalski and his girlfriend were on their way to dinner when the vehicle driven by Mota cut them off in traffic. This led to the verbal altercation.
The defense attorney Natasha Wrae, in her opening statement, said that it was more than a simple exchange of words. She said obscenities and racial epithets were shouted at Mota and his passenger Daniel Fehr. These actions frightened Mota she contended. She also said that Mota fired his gun to scare Switalski, not intending to hit him.
The case is ongoing.
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