Odessa Man Arrested for Assaulting a Police Officer at Whataburger

ODESSA, TEXAS – An Odessa man was charged with multiple offenses following an incident in a Whataburger parking lot Sunday.

Aaron Palma, 26, passed out behind the wheel of a black Dodge Ram at a Whataburger located on 42nd St. in Odessa. When police arrived on scene, they knocked on the window and advised Palma to step out of the vehicle. Palma refused and attempted to put the car into drive to flee the scene.

While fleeing, Palma hit Corporal Shirley with his vehicle. Shirley then rolled off the vehicle and fell into the wall of the Whataburger, injuring his hip and right leg.

A  Whataburger security guard was also hit by Palma’s vehicle as Palma attempted to escape. Palma then fled the scene, but was later stopped at a nearby  Market Street. 

Palma was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant, Aggravated Assault on a Security Guard and for Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle. Palma was transported to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center following his arrest.