Judge Threatens Amazon Workers in Heated Road Rage Confrontation
A Tense Encounter in Texas
In a troubling roadside incident outside Fort Worth, Texas, Parker County Judge Pat Deen (R) found himself at the center of controversy after a heated confrontation with two Amazon delivery drivers. The altercation began when Judge Deen was backing out of his driveway in Hudson Oaks and nearly collided with an Amazon van driven by JNae King and LaTierca Thrower. What followed was an escalation that left both workers shaken and has since raised questions about conduct becoming of elected officials. According to the women, after their van passed Deen’s driveway and continued to their delivery location, the judge pursued them in his vehicle, setting the stage for a confrontation that would ultimately lead to assault charges being filed against the judge’s son.
From Near-Miss to Heated Exchange
The November incident quickly intensified when Judge Deen allegedly approached the Amazon vehicle where Thrower, who was working her first shift for the company, recalls him angrily demanding, “You stopped right when I was backing out. Are you an idiot?” Video evidence obtained by CBS Texas shows Deen accusing the women of “almost causing a wreck” and threatening their employment. “He was just screaming, ‘I’m gonna get you all fired, I’m gonna get you all fired. Y’all need to pay attention,'” Thrower recounted. The rookie delivery driver, who ultimately quit her job because of this incident, says she denied causing an accident and asked the judge to calm down. What began as a simple traffic misunderstanding had transformed into an intimidating confrontation where an elected official appeared to be using his position of authority to threaten the livelihoods of service workers.
Escalation and Alleged Racial Elements
As tensions mounted between Judge Deen and the Amazon drivers, the situation took an even darker turn when the judge’s son, Gary Patrick Deen Jr., joined the confrontation. According to the women’s accounts, the younger Deen escalated matters significantly, allegedly using racial slurs directed at King and Thrower. “Most of the confrontation was coming from his son and not [Deen],” King stated. The women warned both men to back away and claimed that spit was coming from the judge’s mouth as he continued his tirade. While King clarified that she didn’t believe the judge spit intentionally, saying “it was more so being irate,” the Hudson Oaks Police investigation would later find video evidence that the younger Deen had deliberately spit at the women. This physical act of disrespect crossed a clear line, though investigators could not substantiate the claims of racial slurs being used during the incident.
Conflicting Accounts and Judge’s Defense
Judge Deen has firmly denied ever spitting at the Amazon workers, though he has acknowledged his confrontational behavior during the incident. In his defense, Deen claimed the delivery drivers had parked behind his vehicle and caused damage to his car, which he says provoked his angry reaction captured on video. “At the time, whether a public official or not, I think that when there’s a possibility that there is personal damage, property damage, I think at that point that I think anybody’s gonna be frustrated with the attitude that was there,” the judge explained in his statement. He did express some regret about how he handled the situation, adding, “I take responsibility for some of the arguing back and forth and I should’ve just walked away.” This partial acknowledgment of improper behavior stops short of addressing the intimidation felt by the women, particularly his threats regarding their employment—a concerning use of perceived influence from an elected official.
Aftermath and Legal Consequences
The confrontation has had significant consequences for all parties involved. For LaTierca Thrower, the incident was so traumatic that she quit her new job with Amazon after just one shift. Meanwhile, the women filed assault charges against Judge Deen’s son for allegedly spitting at them during the confrontation. The Hudson Oaks Police investigation has substantiated this specific claim with video evidence, though they could not confirm the alleged use of racial slurs. The incident has also potentially complicated Judge Deen’s political future. Having served as Parker County judge since September 2018 following his predecessor’s resignation, Deen is currently seeking a third four-year term in the 2026 election. Public perceptions of this roadside encounter may influence voters as they consider whether his conduct meets the standards expected of an elected county judge.
Political Implications and Broader Context
Judge Pat Deen’s confrontation with the Amazon workers comes at a potentially sensitive time in his political career. He’s facing competition in the upcoming Republican primary scheduled for March 3, where he’ll compete against former police officer and retired municipal judge Tim Galbreaith. The winner of that contest will then face Democratic challenger Richard Simms in the November general election. This incident raises broader questions about the conduct of public officials and the accountability they face for their actions outside of official duties. While everyone experiences frustrations in daily life, elected officials are generally held to higher standards of conduct, particularly when interacting with the public they serve. For King and Thrower, what began as a routine delivery shift became an unsettling encounter with local power dynamics, resulting in a police investigation and potential legal proceedings against the judge’s son. As this story continues to unfold in Parker County, it serves as a reminder of how quickly roadside disagreements can escalate and the special responsibility public officials have in de-escalating rather than inflaming such situations.
