The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Missouri delivery driver was taken into custody after an incident in which a customer was struck by a vehicle following a dispute over a tip.
According to the authorities, the incident was reported shortly after 7:20 p.m. at a residence in Fulton. A caller told emergency dispatchers that a delivery driver had reportedly become upset, hit a person with a car, and then left the area.
Investigators later located the driver at a local restaurant, where he was taken into custody. He was charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Police said the situation began as a verbal argument between the driver, the customer, and a witness. The dispute allegedly escalated after the driver became angry about not receiving a tip. Security camera footage from the home reportedly showed the driver yelling profanities and initiating the confrontation.
The footage also allegedly showed the driver returning to his vehicle, reversing toward the street, and then driving forward toward the victim, who was walking in the driveway. Authorities said the victim was not blocking the vehicle when he was struck. The impact reportedly caused the victim to land on the hood of another car.
The victim told officers he suffered pain in his hand and believed he also had scrapes on his leg. Authorities observed visible injuries.
After the collision, the driver allegedly left the scene at a high rate of speed without contacting emergency services. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to driving toward the victim, claiming he intended to scare him.
Investigators also noted the driver had a prior conviction involving domestic assault and false imprisonment.
At the time this was written, he was being held in the Callaway County Jail without bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of an assault or battery offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.