Whistleblower says pressures on Amazon drivers to make fast deliveries create dangerous conditions

Amazon says it’s investigating, but a whistleblower says pressures on drivers to make fast deliveries create dangerous conditions.

“My brother's life is just, now, a cross on the side of the road that people pass,” said Aliesha Harman.

The morning of June 11, Hearn clocked in at an Amazon facility in Forney and left with a truck full of packages to deliver. Like most Amazon drivers, he didn’t actually work for Amazon. His employer was a third-party delivery company called Triumph Logistics.

“From the moment that my brother got on the road that day, there were red flags,” Harman said.

Just after noon, Hearn was pulled over in Van, Texas, for reckless driving. It was the first of several times he would be pulled over that day. Hearn had gone days without his PTSD medicine and was having a mental episode. Since he appeared sober, he was sent on his way.

[clarkgriswold]

We're going to start seeing a lot more stories like this. People are mentally breaking because of the state of the world right now. Remember folks, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

[tommyb]

That trooper did the right thing, his bosses in response did the absolute worst thing. Another example of corporations caring more about their pockets than their people. RIP to that poor soul who was suffering

[aegisreflector]

Every company iv worked for is like this. They couldnt give a $hit about you unless your the managers/supervisors friend or related.

[leesteal]

They signed him in under another driver's name? This is gross negligence. You got a call from cops about your employee then say you wonder if the cop was right? This company needs to close down. Amazon or any other company should not use them but I guess they would shutter and reopen under a different name. SMH.

[esindirik]

It's surprising to see that cops actually recognized the immediacy and importance of the issue, even asked and determined the ptsd situation. It's purely nothing but the greed of the employers.

[importmike]

My condolences to Johnathan's family. Rest in peace Johnathan Daniel. Truly admire your dedication not only to your country, but your job. Speaks volume about the man you were.

[dennisd]

Amazon and contracts with delivery companies don't care about your health. Case in point, they sign him under another name. Enough said.
Rest in Peace sir.

[jallenl]

I noticed his sister saying that it was gross negligence all around, however the last policeman did everything right. He actually went above and beyond what I would think is the norm.

[cristopherclark]

I delivered for an Amazon DSP for 6 months, the last 3 I had to deliver on a sprained ankle. Then I was fired when I got covid. Workers are not respected or valued anymore.

[sideboob]

The ignorance of people who think that a human life means more to the rich than the almighty dollar.

[DaddyStarbuck]

I’m actually amazed the cops picked up on the PTSD, I have it and I struggle with episodes

[druginducedfeverdream]

I'm a courier myself. Had many hard days but also had my fair share of days where I knew when enough was enough in some cases.
To my fellow delivery drivers, please draw a line for yourself, and put your foot down when it is crossed. Do not be afraid to say no. We are not robots, we are human beings, and we will not be forced to break our backs, and our minds in this case, to "earn" our living. This is evil, and I hope the owner gets what is coming to him.

[DD-oivh]

This is so sad- the fact that the cop recognizes what was going on, & intervened the way he did, was amazing. PTSD episodes are no joke. When I had a nasty 1 myself a few months ago, I was lucky enough to have my neighbor friend in my car, THANKFULLY, bc I certainly wasn’t in a mental place, to get myself pulled over and home- if it hadn’t been for him being with me, I never would’ve made it back home, in 1 piece. I’m so grateful that he was with me, bc I barely remember him getting us pulled over safely, & he’d recognized signs with me, bc he’s also a PTSD sufferer.

My heart breaks for this family, but I don’t think they realized how much the cops hands are legally tied- the cop went above and beyond, from what I saw...it’s all the employer’s fault, what happened😔

[nailsbyefelicia]

Once you're gone they will just replace you, it's business as usual. So sad he didn't have the right people to get him help instead of letting it escalate to death.

[T_P_W_ThachoZenjuan]

My sister took her life walking down a two lane mountain road. She suffered from PTSD and was hsving a bad episode. It will be 8 years Christmas eve since her passing. It doesn't get easier. I'm so sorry his family and others are going through this. Hugs. If you are suffering, please please please, reach out. You are not alone. You are loved.

[KYNAEVIL]

This is a common issue with the transport industry everywhere.
I’ve been forced by employers to work beyond reasonable hours driving without a break and told to make my fatigue management paperwork add up correctly.
Ive been forced to also work while dehydrated and when my blood sugar has dropped to the point I’ve nearly passed out in the summer in Australia.
When I’ve stood up, I’ve been threatened with loosing my job.
These are the reasons that after 15 years, I walked away from doing what I loved as a truck driver and now just work loading sea containers... I made the right choice for my health and safety of others.
This was a choice that had to, but should have not been forced to be made.

[emcity]

Thank you for running this story and showing an in-depth look on how contractors face unreasonable pressure to work at all costs until ruthless expendability becomes just an accepted way of business. It's not and never will be acceptable. A person's life is far more important than some timely delivery of a parcel. Amazon wants to play the "he's not our employee" card and Triumph Logistics doesn't want to lose their contract with Amazon so the pressure is placed on the contractor employee with no recourse except to quit. And Texas has become the dog-whistle bastion for big business to contract out to these 3rd party employers that are about as corrupt as Tammany Hall in the 1800s.

[johnskiiz]

This is a sad story. But I assume the lawyers for triumph will argue that they are not liable bcuz he ran out of gas in his personal vehicle and was not working at the time of the incident. Still I hope something is done about it. I'm a truck driver and I drove 6 yrs for FedEx in the same capacity as our fallen brother.

[TheGamiingNetWork]

I used to do deliveries for papa johns and the owner used to always put me under his brother-in-law’s name and pay me cash after. I told him multiple times to add me to the system but he kept saying next time. I was strapped for cash at the time so I couldn’t complain. Finally quit after getting my real estate license.

[mesmartgnome]

You do not want to be any amount of time without PTSD meds. It’s scary for everyone involved.