NYC driver who randomly attacked 5 strangers was working for Amazon during unhinged rampage

A seemingly unbalanced driver, reportedly linked to Amazon, has been accused of assaulting five individuals in Queens, including deliberately colliding with a vanload of women using a vehicle packed with parcels, officials reported.

Dauri Batita, 32, faces multiple charges such as attempted robbery and assault for a series of random attacks on Sunday that transformed the tranquil Forest Park area into a widespread crime scene, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz revealed on Wednesday.


An Amazon delivery worker in uniform walks past an Amazon delivery vehicle.
Dauri Batita, allegedly, began the “violent rampage” just after 4:08 p.m. on Sunday while wearing a blue vest bearing the Amazon logo and carrying around Amazon packages in a white Ram van Bloomberg via Getty Images

Originating from Brooklyn, Batita is said to have launched his “violent spree” shortly after 4 p.m., donning a blue Amazon-branded vest and operating a white Ram van filled with Amazon deliveries, according to the prosecution.

The erratic driver, who also goes by Dauri Batista, allegedly targeted a 2015 Nissan at the intersection of Park Lane South and Forest Parkway in Woodhaven, officials stated.

As the 61-year-old driver and her three passengers watched, Batita reportedly struck the car’s windshield with an unidentified object, cracking the glass.

While the startled women awaited police assistance at the corner of Forest Parkway and 85th Avenue, the aggressive driver rammed directly into the Nissan, then reversed and maneuvered in front of the vehicle, authorities noted.

After he tried to back up again, the Nissan drove off, and Batita sped after that group of women — three of whom suffered substantial neck, back, and knee pain in the ordeal, Katz added.

Shortly after, Batita was allegedly going the wrong way on a one-way street near the intersection of 87th Street and 85th Road in Woodhaven and exited his van to punch a 66-year-old man several times, prosecutors said.

The unprovoked blows loosened the victim’s teeth and caused bleeding and pain. He was then taken to the hospital for treatment.


Street view of the Forest Parkway and Park Lane intersection in Queens, New York.
Batita was ordered held without bail at his arraignment on Wednesday by Queens Criminal Court Judge Thomas Wright-Fernandez, prosecutors said. Google maps

At the same intersection, Batita allegedly attacked a second 33-year-old man, repeatedly slugging the victim in the face as he pulled at his necklace.

He proceeded to punch a 72-year-old man in the head, causing the elderly man to fall to the ground and sustain abrasions to his arm, the DA said.

Continuing his violent spree, Batita hopped in his Ram and drove the wrong way on a one-way street once again and hit the front end of a 2023 Nissan.

Batita then opened the front passenger door and allegedly assaulted the 75-year-old driver, punching him in the face and threatening to snatch his car.

The victim’s son stopped the assault and held Batita until police arrived to cuff him, prosecutors said.

Batita was ordered held without bail at his arraignment on Wednesday by Queens Criminal Court Judge Thomas Wright-Fernandez, prosecutors said.

“As alleged, this defendant went on a violent rampage by ramming his delivery van into multiple vehicles and assaulting four people, three of whom are seniors,” Katz said in a statement.

“This defendant’s actions turned a peaceful neighborhood near Forest Park into a crime scene that spanned multiple city blocks. I thank our NYPD partners for quickly apprehending the defendant before he could cause more harm.”

Batita faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of a laundry list of charges. He will return to court on May 19.

Amazon did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment regarding his employment status.

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