The daughter of State Rep. Debbie Rodella (D-La Mesilla) and Rio Arriba County Sheriff hopeful Tommy Rodella has been accused of hitting her ex-boyfriend with a car and assaulting his new girlfriend, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputy Don Cordova confirmed that Vanessa Trujillo, 21, and Richard Garcia, 27, of Mesa de Poleo, allege Tara Rodella, 19, of Chimayó, assaulted them Tuesday afternoon, but refused to give details about the case because Tara Rodella hadn’t been interviewed yet. Rodella let herself in to the couple’s house around 4:30 p.m. and pulled Trujillo by the hair, slamming her head against a tile floor, according to Trujillo and Trujillo’s mother, Liana Trujillo. As Rodella was leaving, Garcia followed her into the yard, and she allegedly tried to run him over in her Toyota Camry, Vanessa Trujillo said.
Vanessa Trujillo said she had a headache but her injuries weren’t severe. Garcia was knocked over by the car but was also not critically injured, she said.
Vanessa Trujillo said Tara Rodella was angry because Trujillo took up with Garcia, who is apparently Rodella’s ex-boyfriend.
Tara Rodella had made previous verbal threats toward Trujillo, but this was the first physical attack, Vanessa Trujillo alleged Tuesday.
No arrests have been made in the case.
A message left at the Rodella household Tuesday night was not returned.