A DoorDash delivery driver is facing felony charges in Evansville, Indiana, after allegedly spraying customers' food with a substance that caused them to become severely ill. The incident, which was reportedly captured on a doorbell camera, has led to an arrest warrant and the driver's permanent removal from the delivery platform.
Investigation Launched After Customers Fall Ill
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office began an investigation on December 7 following a report from a man who, along with his wife, experienced alarming symptoms after consuming fast food ordered through DoorDash. The couple reported vomiting and a burning sensation in their mouths, noses, throats, and stomachs shortly after eating their meal.
The man's suspicions were raised when he noticed an unusual red substance sprayed on the delivery bag. Upon reviewing footage from his doorbell camera, he observed the DoorDash driver, after dropping off the food and taking a confirmation photo, appearing to spray a substance towards the meal from a small aerosol can attached to her keychain.
Driver Identified, Offers Disputed Explanation
Using DoorDash records, detectives identified the driver as Kourtney Stevenson of Kentucky. In a phone call with local police, Stevenson claimed she had been working for DoorDash while visiting her father and used pepper spray to deter a spider.
However, the sheriff's department expressed skepticism regarding Stevenson's explanation. Authorities noted that with an overnight low of 35 degrees Fahrenheit, "outdoor spiders in Indiana are not active and would not be capable of crawling on exposed surfaces."
Felony Charges and Extradition Pending
When Stevenson reportedly declined to come in for an interview, detectives secured an arrest warrant. She now faces felony charges, including battery resulting in a moderate injury and consumer product tampering. Stevenson is currently awaiting extradition to Indiana to face these charges.
DoorDash Takes Action
In response to the incident, a DoorDash spokesperson released a statement confirming Stevenson's permanent ban from the platform.
“We have absolutely zero tolerance for this type of appalling behavior,” the spokesperson stated. “The Dasher’s access to the platform has been permanently removed, and our team is supporting law enforcement with their investigation.”
Reports from The New York Times and NBC News indicate that it is currently unclear whether Stevenson has legal representation available to comment on her behalf.
