Delivery agent accused of attempted rape and murder, Doordash faces scrutiny

New Delhi: A shocking incident has emerged involving an alleged attempted rape and murder by a Doordash delivery agent, prompting concerns about the safety measures taken by the company. 

The victim, an 18-year-old woman named Chloe, has accused the company of neglecting her complaint and failing to address the horrifying ordeal she endured. 

The incident unfolded on February 12, 2022, when Chloe and her roommate placed an order with Doordash for food delivery from McDonald’s, unaware of the tragic events that would follow.

The delivery agent, identified as Young, initially appeared like any other delivery personnel. He handed over the order, engaged in a brief conversation, and left. However, just four days later, Chloe’s life took a harrowing turn when Young unexpectedly returned to her residence around 4 p.m. local time. He arrived under the pretext of inquiring about a neighbor but persistently urged Chloe to open the door, setting the stage for a terrifying encounter.

According to police records and a subsequent lawsuit, the situation escalated rapidly. Young entered Chloe’s residence and allegedly attempted to carry out severe harm to her. A struggle ensued, resulting in Chloe suffering physical injuries, including a broken nose, finger bites, and marks on her neck from an attempted strangulation.

Chloe immediately reported the incident to the police, although her attempt to report the incident to Doordash bore no fruit, as the company allegedly failed to take any action. During the police investigation, the attacker’s criminal history came to light, revealing prior convictions for aggravated assault and hit-and-run in 2016. Young was hired by Doordash following his release from prison. Consequently, Chloe initiated a civil lawsuit against Doordash, accusing them of negligence in properly screening Young before employing him as a delivery driver.

While companies like Doordash often utilize technology, including artificial intelligence, to assess the suitability of their workers, this incident raises questions about the effectiveness of such systems. Doordash typically partners with Checkr, a background check company, to scrutinize the backgrounds of their employees. Chloe’s lawyer, Kendall Shortway, emphasized the importance of thorough background checks, particularly for individuals with prior criminal records to prevent such incidents.

 As investigations continue, the incident calls attention to the significance of robust safety protocols and thorough background checks in the gig economy to prevent such tragic events from occurring.