DoorDash driver charged with felony after reportedly spraying substances on customers’ meals
Indiana Woman Accused of Tampering with DoorDash Order
An Evansville, Indiana woman is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly contaminating a DoorDash food delivery, which reportedly caused the recipients to become ill.
According to a statement from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, a man contacted authorities on December 7, reporting that both he and his wife experienced vomiting and a burning sensation in their mouths, noses, throats, and stomachs after consuming fast food delivered via DoorDash.
The man told NBC News that he noticed a red substance on the delivery bag. After reviewing footage from his doorbell camera, he saw that the delivery driver, after dropping off the order and taking a photo, appeared to spray something from a small aerosol can attached to her keychain toward the food.
Investigators used DoorDash records to identify the driver as Kourtney Stevenson from Kentucky. Stevenson told local police during a phone conversation that she had been delivering for DoorDash while visiting her father and claimed she used pepper spray to target a spider. However, the sheriff’s office noted that with temperatures dropping to 35 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, spiders are not typically active outdoors in Indiana during that time.
After Stevenson reportedly refused to meet with investigators, authorities obtained a warrant for her arrest on charges of battery causing moderate injury and tampering with a consumer product. She is currently awaiting extradition to Indiana.
DoorDash has responded by permanently banning Stevenson from their platform. A company spokesperson stated, “We have absolutely zero tolerance for this type of appalling behavior. The Dasher’s access to the platform has been permanently removed, and our team is supporting law enforcement with their investigation.”
Both The New York Times and NBC News have reported that it remains unclear whether Stevenson has legal representation to speak on her behalf.
