An Amazon delivery driver in California is facing multiple criminal charges after police say he struck an elderly man in the head during a confrontation that allegedly began over something remarkably ordinary: a parking space at a gas station.
The incident happened March 30 at an ARCO station in Elk Grove, California, but video of the confrontation recently spread online, bringing renewed attention to the case. Authorities announced charges Tuesday.
According to police, 30-year-old Terrence Wheeler believed a 72-year-old man had taken a parking spot Wheeler intended to use.
What might ordinarily have produced an irritated look, a few words or simply a search for another space instead escalated into a confrontation.
Police say Wheeler threatened to attack the older man. Then, as the man walked past him, Wheeler allegedly struck him on the side of the head.
The blow knocked the man to the ground.
“Police said Wheeler confronted the elderly man and threatened to attack him,” KCRA-TV reported. “Wheeler then struck the man on the side of his head as the man was walking past Wheeler. The man fell to the ground.”
Video of the encounter gained widespread attention months after the incident when attorney Tony Buzbee posted footage on Instagram. Buzbee, who says his firm represents the victim, identified his client as 71.
According to Buzbee’s account, his client had stopped at the gas station during the workday for an entirely routine reason.
“During his work day, he stopped at an ARCO Gas Station in Elk Grove, California to go to the bathroom and get a soft drink,” Buzbee wrote.
He said the disagreement began because the Amazon driver believed the older man had taken his parking space.
“The Amazon driver reacted hyper aggressively,” Buzbee alleged. “The Amazon driver confronted our client in the parking lot, followed him into the store, and ultimately assaulted him from behind.”
Buzbee said his client is being treated for a concussion and neck pain following the encounter.
After police identified Wheeler as the suspect, Wheeler turned himself in Tuesday. He was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
Wheeler faces charges of felony elder abuse, felony criminal threats and misdemeanor battery. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 24.
The criminal case may not be the only legal problem arising from the incident.
Buzbee has indicated that his firm is preparing a $10 million lawsuit and suggested that Amazon itself could face scrutiny over Wheeler’s employment.
“We believe the Amazon driver has a history of violence,” Buzbee wrote.
That allegation has not been established in the criminal proceedings described here, but Buzbee made clear that his firm intends to examine whether Amazon properly screened and supervised the driver.
“Amazon delivery folks must be carefully screened and trained,” he said. “Amazon must do better in the hiring process. When Amazon fails, like here, it must be held accountable.”
Whether Amazon could bear legal responsibility would depend on facts surrounding Wheeler’s employment, his background, what the company knew or reasonably should have known, and the circumstances of the confrontation.
