A postal service driver was taken into custody last week after allegedly attempting to run over a 10-year-old boy, mistakenly identifying him as a “porch pirate.”
According to WKRG, the child was simply trying to deliver a misdelivered package to a neighbor’s house when the incident occurred. The boy, who resides at the address where the package was incorrectly delivered, had no ill intent.
William White Jr., age 41, now faces charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, and criminal mischief.
“This isn’t just a simple, ‘Oops,’ crash with a 10-year-old in the road,” Florida Highway Patrol Capt. Jason King told WEAR. “This is an intentional act by a United States postal worker.”
As reported by The Pensacola News Journal, the Florida Highway Patrol detailed the incident in a report. The boy had hopped on his electric scooter to take the package to its rightful owner after White mistakenly delivered it to the wrong address. Misinterpreting the boy’s actions, White drove at him, striking the scooter.
“White then intentionally steered the USPS vehicle toward the child, ultimately running over the scooter,” the report stated. Fortunately, the child managed to jump into a nearby yard before the scooter was hit.
Following the collision, White reportedly yelled at the boy, removed the scooter from beneath the vehicle, and placed it inside before leaving the scene. The boy’s family member pursued White and confronted him, at which point White allegedly discarded the scooter into another yard.
The incident took place on December 27. White was interviewed four days later and arrested.
In a statement, USPS said it “”takes the safety and well-being of our customers and employees seriously” and said it was investigating “in partnership with local law enforcement” but declined further comment.
