A U.S. Postal Service driver is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly attempted to run over a 10-year-old boy who was riding a scooter while returning a package that had just been delivered to the wrong home.
Authorities say the incident occurred on December 27 in Escambia County, after the child tried to help return the package to a nearby neighbor.The driver, identified as William White Jr., 41, allegedly assumed the package had been stolen — leading to a dangerous and aggressive confrontation.
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Authorities Say Driver Intentionally Targeted the Child
According to WEAR, Florida Highway Patrol officials determined the incident was intentional. FHP Captain Jason King stated that White allegedly drove the USPS vehicle directly toward the child, ultimately running over the boy’s scooter.
“The child was able to get into the nearby yard prior to the scooter being hit,” a police report stated. The boy reportedly injured his ankle while jumping out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle. Investigators say White allegedly yelled at the child before leaving the scene. He reportedly drove away after noticing the boy’s parents outside, who were preparing to confront him.
Captain King later criticized the driver’s response to the situation. “It’s amazing what a small conversation would do in a situation rather than jumping straight to force, use of force…or really escalating the situation way past where it should have been,” King told the ABC affiliate.
USPS Driver Arrested and Facing Multiple Charges
White was later arrested and charged with:
- Criminal mischief
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Petit theft
U.S. Postal Service Responds
The United States Postal Service released a statement addressing the incident, confirming White has been employed with the agency since 2025.
“The Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, is actively investigating this issue in partnership with local law enforcement,” the statement read. “The U.S. Postal Service takes the safety of customers and employees very seriously.”