FULTON, Mo. — A routine food delivery escalated into violence when a Domino’s driver allegedly struck a customer with his vehicle following a dispute about a missing tip. The incident, which occurred on April 29, has led to serious felony charges against 36-year-old Zachary Nicholus Walton from Auxvasse, who is currently being held without bond in Callaway County.
Police were dispatched to a home on Bluff Street around 7:21 p.m. after receiving a report of an accident involving injuries. Witnesses indicated that Walton became agitated after completing a delivery when the matter of an unreceived tip was raised, resulting in a heated argument. The verbal exchange moved from the doorway to the driveway, culminating in Walton allegedly using his vehicle to strike the customer.
According to investigators, surveillance footage captured key moments of the confrontation. After initially arguing, Walton reportedly used threatening language before getting into his car. Witnesses stated that as the customers walked away, Walton drove towards them, hitting the victim, who described jumping onto the hood to avoid more serious injuries. The victim sustained visible hand injuries along with other scrapes and pain.
Following the incident, Walton fled the scene at a high speed, prompting police to search for him. He was later located at a local Domino’s, where he reportedly admitted to driving toward the victim in an attempt to intimidate him. This assertion, combined with witness accounts, has contributed to the assertions that Walton intentionally used his vehicle during the altercation, which authorities emphasize differentiates this case from a mere traffic accident.
The Callaway County Prosecutor’s Office subsequently charged Walton with multiple offenses, including first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, and armed criminal action. His booking information indicates he was processed on April 29. Although initial reports suggested various counts, they consistently highlighted that the driver used his vehicle as a weapon in the dispute over the tip.
Walton appeared remotely for his first court hearing on May 1, with a subsequent hearing set for May 6. Prosecutors described him as a potential danger to both the victim and the community, citing previous convictions for domestic assault and false imprisonment as considerations during the discussion of bail. However, these past convictions do not serve as evidence of guilt in the current case.
Fulton’s residential neighborhood, where the incident occurred, has active surveillance, allowing for a thorough documentation of the events. Authorities have stated that the footage shows Walton initiating the confrontation before leaving after the victim was struck. As reports have noted, it remains unclear if the pizza chain has commented on Walton’s employment status in light of the seriousness of the charges.
The court proceedings will now rely heavily on eyewitness testimonies, police interviews, medical evidence of the victim’s injuries, and the surveillance video snippets uncovered during the investigation. Walton is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and he remains in custody as the legal process continues in Callaway County Circuit Court.