Domino’s driver Michael Charles Parker, 31, arrived at the home, located in the 600 block of North Mangrove Avenue about 11:30 p.m., Covina police say, according to NBC News Los Angeles.
The pizza was 90 minutes late, and an argument broke when the customer gave Parker a $3 tip, KTLA 5 reports. The pizza cost about $45, and Parker allegedly refused to leave, Sgt. Gregg Peterson said.
The argument escalated into a physical altercation that wound up in the home’s driveway.
Police allege Parker, who lives in Glendora, stabbed the customer.
The customer suffered serious lacerations to his neck, hands, and wrists. Fortunately, the injuries weren’t life-threatening, Consumerist reports.
The driver went back to his place of work afterwards, where police arrested him at the Domino’s store. He was charged with suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, NBC reports.
Parker posted bail for $30,000, and is expected in court pending his March 21 arraignment, NBC reports. It’s not clear if he has an attorney.
Domino’s denied knowledge of the situation in a statement to NBC, Eater reports.
“All the stores in California are owned by independent franchisees and because we have no information, we can’t provide comment other than to say we are shocked by the allegation and hope the customer is OK,” A company spokesperson said.
The store was unavailable for comment, Eater reported.
Life can get dangerous for food delivery drivers as well.
In Ohio, last December, driver Ryan Brill was shot in the leg after customer Anthony Wulf placed his gun on the table as he answered the door. However, Wulf’s dog knocked the gun on the floor and it fired, hitting Brill in the leg. Wulf performed first aid and then called police. And Brill spent a few hours in the hospital as a result; fortunately his injuries weren’t life-threatening. He’ll be getting around on crutches for a while.
Last May, Josh Lewis, 25, who works for Spinelli’s Pizzeria in Louisville, Kentucky completed a delivery after he was stabbed in the back at a local hospital. Fortunately Lewis survived; he was in the emergency room when he collapsed and was rushed to another nearby hospital and into surgery for a collapsed lung.
