DoorDash delivery driver accused of spraying customer’s order, leaving woman choking

A DoorDash delivery driver allegedly sprayed a customer’s food, causing her to choke

A Vanderburgh County couple had a frightening experience after a DoorDash delivery allegedly was tampered with, causing the woman to choke on her meal.

Mark Cardin, 42, and his wife had ordered food from Arby’s on Sunday evening. After taking a few bites, Cardin’s wife began choking and vomited. Alarmed, Cardin inspected the delivery bag and noticed signs it may have been tampered with.

Footage from their doorbell camera reportedly showed the delivery driver, described as a woman with purple hair, taking a photo of the order on the doorstep and then allegedly spraying a liquid onto the bag. The Cardins believe the substance was pepper spray, though they expressed concern it could have been something more dangerous, such as rat poison or fentanyl.

“I mean my wife could’ve been dead,” Cardin told local news outlets.

NEW: DoorDash driver accused of spraying pepper spray on Arby’s food after dropping it off at a home in Indiana.

Mark Cardin says his wife started choking and gasping after she started eating the food.

"I noticed my wife had started eating and she started choking and gasping,… pic.twitter.com/yFrvXVBGtR

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 10, 2025

Cardin contacted DoorDash immediately, receiving a refund, and also reported the incident to local authorities. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office confirmed an investigation has been launched. No charges have been filed at this time.

Consumer product tampering can be considered a Level 6 felony, and if it results in harm, it may rise to a Level 5 felony. Cardin expressed frustration that DoorDash appeared to take limited action beyond issuing a refund and urged others to remain vigilant when using food delivery services.

“I would say to anybody, if you order food on any kind of delivery service, make sure you have a doorbell camera,” he said, noting the incident has made him reconsider ordering food in the future.