On May 10, 2024, a serious incident occurred involving a vehicle and a building in Odessa. Rhonda Thomas, a 66-year-old resident of the city, was attempting to make a left-hand turn on the 1900 block of E. 42nd St in her 2018 Toyota Highlander. Facing west, she navigated through stopped traffic but failed to yield the right of way to an eastbound red Ford Expedition. This resulted in her vehicle's front end striking the left rear quarter panel of the Expedition.
In a moment of panic, Thomas accelerated instead of applying brakes as she entered a parking lot. Her vehicle struck a juvenile before crashing into Alfredo’s Paletaria. Inside the business at the time were seven individuals who sustained injuries due to this accident.
Odessa Fire Rescue responded promptly to the scene and transported four individuals to Medical Center Hospital for immediate medical attention.