Missouri man walked out to collect his Domino’s pizza, but one heated confrontation later, the driver jumped in his car, reversed, and plowed into him

A routine Domino’s pizza delivery in Fulton, Missouri, took a violent turn this past week when a delivery driver allegedly used his vehicle as a weapon following a dispute over a tip. According to the NY Post, 36-year-old Zachary Nicholus Walton was taken into custody Wednesday night after he reportedly plowed his car into a customer who had failed to provide a gratuity. According to court documents, the situation spiraled quickly after the driver felt slighted.

The incident, captured on surveillance video, shows Walton engaging in a heated verbal confrontation with the customer and a witness. Police reports state that the courier was irate because he was left empty-handed. During the outburst, he called the victim and the witness “f—king rude.” Walton reportedly then needled them, shouting, “What are you going to do, b—h?” Come get me,” before he eventually walked back to his vehicle.

You might think that would be the end of it, but the aftermath was much worse. As Walton began to reverse his car out of the driveway, the victim started walking along the path. Police say the victim was not attempting to stop the driver from leaving the scene. Despite this, Walton allegedly shifted the car into drive and gunned it forward, striking the victim. 

There are overreactions, and then there is whatever this is

The impact sent the individual onto the vehicle, resulting in a hand injury, scrapes on their shins, and lingering pain. Walton fled the scene immediately, though he was later tracked down at a local Domino’s. Authorities noted that he admitted to charging at the victim specifically to “scare him.”

Walton is now facing several serious legal charges, including two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and armed criminal action. These are not minor accusations, and they carry significant weight under state law. 

According to the Frank and Juengel Law Group, first-degree assault is considered the most violent form of assault. It involves intentionally causing someone to fear imminent harm or attempting to cause severe injury. 

This charge is categorized as a severe offense. Thus, a conviction can lead to long-term consequences, including years of prison time and a permanent criminal record.

The charge of leaving the scene of an accident is also a major legal hurdle. Mayer Law Offices explains that fleeing an accident is something Missouri law treats very strictly. 

If an injury occurs, as it did in this case, the charge can escalate to a felony. The penalties for such an act are designed to be punitive, often resulting in heavy fines, license suspension, and significant jail or prison time. 

Finally, the charge of armed criminal action. Per the law firm Coxwell and Associates, this is often viewed as a catch-all charge that applies when someone uses a weapon while committing a crime. 

While the specific elements of this charge can vary, it essentially penalizes the intent to commit a felony while armed. As a motor vehicle was used in the commission of the alleged assault, the legal system is treating this as a serious felony matter. 

Now, tips are a controversial topic. It is important for the people in the service industry because of how low their pay is. However, there is a growing conversation about how tip culture is getting out of hand. Not only because the cost is being passed down to the customer from owners, but also because the tip amount and the situations in which tips are being demanded are growing. 

Unfortunately, this was one instance where the customer did not feel like they needed to tip, unlike some customers who go out of their way to make sure they tip. Walton is currently being held behind bars without bond as the case proceeds. He serves as a sobering example of how quickly a bad day on the job can turn into a life-altering legal nightmare.