A United States Postal Service (USPS) driver, identified as 41-year-old William White, has been charged after authorities say he attempted to run over a 10-year-old boy who was trying to return a package that had been delivered to the wrong address in Escambia County, Florida.
What Happened
According to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report, the incident occurred on Dec. 27 on Kingfisher Way. The child's family lives at the residence where the package was left. The 10-year-old reportedly placed the misdelivered parcel on his electric scooter to take it to the correct address.
GettyA United States Postal Service delivery truck
FHP alleges that White saw the child with the package, mistakenly believed the child was stealing it, and then "purposely drove the USPS vehicle towards the child and ran over the scooter," striking the electric scooter after the boy reached a nearby yard. The child was said to have made it to safety before the scooter was hit.
Aftermath And Arrest
FHP further reported that White removed the scooter from beneath the vehicle, placed it into the truck and yelled at the child before driving off. A relative followed the postal truck to confront White, and during that encounter White allegedly threw the scooter into another nearby yard.
Escambia County JailWilliam White.
White was interviewed by investigators and arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 31, when he arrived at work. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, petit theft and criminal mischief. Jail records show he was booked into the Escambia County Jail and posted $5,500 bond.
Agency Response And Investigation
In a statement to the Pensacola News Journal, the USPS said it is investigating the matter in coordination with local law enforcement and the Postal Inspection Service, the agency's law enforcement arm. The statement included the sentence, "The U.S. Postal Service takes the safety and well-being of our customers and employees seriously." The statement also noted the individual has been employed "[since] 2025," language that appears to be a typographical error in the public statement and is being treated as such in reporting.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt to run over the child. No additional information about the child's injuries was provided in the reports cited by local outlets.
Note: Allegations in this article are based on the Florida Highway Patrol report and local media coverage. Charges are allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
