An Amazon delivery driver was left needing 110 stitches after being brutally attacked while dropping off parcels.
William Herrera, 23, was stabbed in the face as he carried out his daily rounds in the Bronx, New York City, by a balaclava-clad knifeman who police are now hunting. The young dad was left with a six-inch (15cm) gash, which stretched from his lip to his earlobe, following the incident just over two weeks ago. And although he was lucky to survive the horrific ordeal, he will sadly be scarred for life.
Stunned William, who is now recovering, told WNBC: “I got to look every day in the mirror and see this on my face, I've never had one stitch in my entire life and the first time I got a stitch, I got 110 stitches?"
William said he was carrying out his deliveries on Valentine Avenue, in the Borough’s residential Bedford Park area, at around 3 p.m. on January 24 when he was approached by the suspect who was dressed in black and wore a balaclava.
Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says reportCCTV footage revealed how the man, who William said didn’t utter a word, suddenly began his attack by using his right hand to slash at him. The pair were then seen tussling briefly before William ran round the other side of the van and the man followed him.
William, who was left covered in blood from his facial wounds, managed to get the attention of police before an ambulance later arrived at his location. He was then rushed to Barnabas Hospital where he received emergency treatment. William told WNBC that the man didn’t seem to want to rob his van, which was unlocked, and instead was focused on attacking him.
He said: "My van was completely open. He could have took the whole van if he wanted to. He didn't take nothing. He just wanted to cut me, I guess."
William spoke about the terrifying incident alongside his pregnant wife, Soriano, saying that he wanted police to bring the culprit to justice as they continued their search for him. He also said he was left fearful to leave his home after the assault. William added: “I just hope that they catch him. So we can get justice."
The news comes after a black Amazon delivery driver was targeted during the busy Christmas period while dropping off parcels in a wealthy neighbourhood in Houston, Texas. Video revealed how JaMaiya Miller, 25, was assaulted by two women who accused her of being a thief as she carried out her daily rounds on December 16. She told Mail Online that the attackers had used ‘racist tropes’ during the violent incident.
Amazon has been contacted for comment.