71-Year-Old Sues Amazon Over $10 Million Gas-Station Assault Claim

Q: What drove a delivery worker to violently assault a 72-year-old over a parking spot, and what was the ultimate court verdict?

The assault appears to have been driven by a sudden burst of anger over a parking space. According to Elk Grove police and surveillance video cited by local media, Terrence Wheeler became upset when the 72-year-old man pulled into a spot Wheeler wanted at an ampm gas station in Elk Grove. Investigators said Wheeler confronted the man, threatened him, and then struck him on the side of the head as he walked past, knocking him to the ground. Reports said the victim was later treated for neck pain and a concussion. As for the court outcome, the materials provided do not show a final criminal verdict. They indicate Wheeler was arrested, booked on suspicion of felony elder abuse, felony criminal threats, and misdemeanor battery, and was scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 24. The searched material does not include any later disposition such as a plea, conviction, acquittal, or sentence. What is clear is that Amazon said Wheeler was delivering packages for an independent contractor at the time and was removed from eligibility to deliver Amazon packages. Separately, the victim filed a civil lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court seeking $10 million, but no final civil judgment is included in the provided information either.

3 articles · Updated · KABC-TV · Aug 25

$10 million in damages is being sought by a 71-year-old California man who says an Amazon delivery driver punched him at an Elk Grove ARCO station after accusing him of taking a parking spot.
March 30 surveillance video, shared by attorney Tony Buzbee, appears to show the driver confront the man, follow him into the store and strike him from behind, knocking him to the ground.
Neck pain and a concussion are among the victim's reported injuries, while the driver was arrested and charged with felony battery and elder abuse; he is also identified in related reporting as 30-year-old Terrence Wheeler.
Amazon said the driver worked for an independent delivery contractor, and after its investigation he was barred from delivering Amazon packages, underscoring the lawsuit's focus on Amazon's screening and oversight.