DoorDash Driver Faces Felony Charges After Allegedly Pepper-Spraying Customer’s Food
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A Kentucky woman was arrested this past Friday after a disturbing incident involving a DoorDash delivery that left a married couple ill and sparked widespread outrage online. Kourtney N. Stevenson faces multiple felony charges, including consumer product tampering and battery resulting in moderate injury, after allegedly pepper-spraying a customer’s food during a delivery in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
The case unfolded on December 7, when Mark Cardin and his wife reported severe burning sensations in their mouths, noses, throats, and stomachs shortly after receiving a late-night DoorDash order. Both experienced vomiting and discomfort, prompting them to review their doorbell camera footage for clues.
The video captured Stevenson, identifiable by her blue and purple hair, dropping off the food, snapping a photo of the order as required by DoorDash protocol, and then spraying an unknown substance toward the food before walking away. The footage quickly went viral, raising concerns about food safety and delivery service trust.
Authorities confirmed through DoorDash records that Stevenson was the delivery driver in question. When questioned by detectives from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, she claimed she had sprayed pepper spray at a spider she allegedly saw during the delivery. However, investigators noted that the overnight temperature was 35 degrees Fahrenheit — far too cold for outdoor spiders in Indiana to be active or crawling on exposed surfaces.
“Residents should be able to trust that the food they order for their families is safe,” said Sheriff Noah Robinson in an official statement. “When someone violates that trust and endangers others, we will respond with urgency, and we will pursue charges.”
Stevenson was apprehended by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky and is now facing serious felony charges. The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities in food delivery services and the potential risks consumers face when ordering meals through third-party platforms.
Food tampering is a federal offense, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration emphasizes the importance of protecting the food supply chain from intentional contamination. This case underscores the challenges of ensuring safety in the rapidly growing gig economy, where delivery drivers have direct access to customers’ meals.
DoorDash, one of the largest food delivery services in the United States, requires drivers to photograph orders upon delivery to confirm completion, but this incident raises questions about monitoring and safeguards to prevent malicious acts. The Federal Trade Commission has previously taken action against deceptive practices in the food delivery sector, but food tampering represents a dangerous escalation.
Local law enforcement continues to investigate the case, and the charges against Stevenson highlight the seriousness with which authorities treat threats to public health and safety. Consumers are encouraged to report any suspicious activity related to food deliveries to their local police departments or through platforms like the U.S. Department of Agriculture food safety resources.
As the holiday season approaches, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and trust in food delivery services. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has pledged to pursue justice aggressively to maintain community safety and confidence.
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