NYC deliveryman filmed putting pizza back in box after it hit the pavement: ‘Devious’

New York Post - Apr 5th, 2025

A New York City delivery driver was caught on camera picking up a pizza that had fallen onto the street and placing it back into its box before securing it to his electric bike for delivery. The incident was filmed by Nataysha Jernigan, who expressed her disgust at the driver's actions. The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage and discussions on social media about food safety and delivery practices. Jernigan, a medical assistant from Harlem, has since changed her ordering habits, opting for restaurants that use tamper-evident stickers to ensure her food's integrity.

The video's widespread reach highlights growing concerns about the quality and safety of food delivery, especially in bustling urban environments like New York City. While some viewers speculated that the driver might have returned the pizza to the restaurant for a replacement, the event underscores the lack of trust many consumers feel toward third-party delivery services. This incident adds to a series of delivery mishaps that raise questions about the accountability and oversight of these services, potentially prompting calls for more stringent regulations or reforms in the industry.

New York City Viral Video Food Safety Delivery Driver Pizza Nataysha Jernigan Food Delivery Services Consumer Trust

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The news story effectively captures a shocking incident that resonates with public concerns about food safety and delivery service integrity. Its strengths lie in its timeliness, engagement, and clarity, as it presents a clear and engaging narrative that has sparked significant public interest and discussion. However, the story could benefit from greater balance and source quality, as it relies heavily on a single eyewitness account and lacks input from the delivery service or pizzeria involved. The absence of these perspectives limits the story's accuracy and transparency, as it does not fully verify the incident or explore the company's response. Overall, while the article is compelling and relevant, it would be strengthened by more comprehensive sourcing and a balanced representation of all parties involved.

Accuracy

The story presents a factual account of an incident involving a delivery driver in New York City who allegedly returned a dropped pizza to its box before continuing the delivery. The location, the witness's account, and the video evidence provide a solid basis for the claims. However, the article lacks verification of the delivery service or pizzeria involved, which is crucial for confirming the details and any subsequent actions taken. The narrative relies heavily on a single witness report and a viral video, which, while compelling, do not provide comprehensive verification of the driver's intentions or the company's response. The absence of direct quotes from the delivery driver or the company involved leaves some factual gaps.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the perspective of the witness, Nataysha Jernigan, and the public's reaction to the viral video. It does not provide a balanced view by including the delivery driver's side of the story or the pizzeria's response, if any. While it mentions that some people gave the driver the benefit of the doubt, these perspectives are not explored in depth. The story could be more balanced by including statements from the delivery service or pizzeria, which would offer a fuller picture of the situation and any corrective measures taken.

Clarity

The article is clear and easy to follow, with a straightforward narrative that describes the incident and the public's reaction. The language is accessible, and the structure logically progresses from the event to the witness account and public responses. While the story is engaging and effectively conveys the shock and disgust felt by the witness and viewers, it could benefit from more detailed descriptions of the video content and the specific actions taken by the driver, which would provide a clearer picture of the incident.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on a single eyewitness account and a viral video as its primary sources. While these sources provide firsthand information, they lack the authority and reliability that would come from official statements or multiple corroborating witnesses. The absence of input from the delivery service or pizzeria diminishes the overall source quality. Additionally, the story does not cite any experts in food safety or delivery service policies, which could have added depth and authority to the reporting.

Transparency

The article is transparent about the source of its information, primarily attributing the story to the eyewitness account and the viral video. However, it lacks transparency regarding the delivery service or pizzeria involved, which is a significant omission. The story does not disclose any attempts to contact the delivery driver or company for comment, nor does it explain the methodology behind verifying the video's authenticity. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the article's credibility and trustworthiness.