A 45-year-old Beaverton man is facing assault and reckless driving charges after prosecutors say he nearly ran over a woman and punched her repeatedly in the face outside a Northeast Portland barbecue restaurant, all because his DoorDash order was taking too long. Aaron James Pickel, who is listed as standing six feet seven inches tall and weighing 350 pounds, was taken into custody by Beaverton police on September 20, two weeks after the alleged September 6 confrontation.
According to KUNP, Portland police responded to reports of a man trying to run over a woman outside Podnah's Barbecue on Northeast Killingsworth Street. The woman told investigators she had gone to pick up her own order when she noticed Pickel yelling at employees because his DoorDash order wasn't ready. She asked him to stop yelling, and that's when things escalated fast.
Pickel allegedly made a quick U-turn and drove his car onto the sidewalk toward the woman, nearly hitting her with the vehicle. A second witness reportedly told investigators they saw Pickel accelerate his car toward her. He then pushed her several times, knocking her to the ground, slapped food out of her hand, and punched her repeatedly in the face, according to KUNP.
Bystanders Stepped In Before Police Arrived
The woman sustained swelling, bruising and a facial laceration, the report notes. Bystanders ultimately tackled Pickel and held him down, and a photograph reportedly helped identify him as the suspect.
Pickel gave police his own version of events. He admitted he was upset because his order was taking a long time and said the waiters were giving him attitude, according to the KATU report. He claimed the woman told him the delay wasn't the employees' fault, and he responded by telling her to mind her own business. Pickel alleged the woman called him an expletive and told him to kill himself, and claimed she punched him in the face first — saying he was defending himself and could not recall punching her.
Charged as Misdemeanors, Not Felonies
Pickel was arraigned on Tuesday on charges of reckless driving and fourth-degree assault and was released on his own recognizance. He has no prior criminal history, and is due back in court on October 20.
Under Oregon Revised Statutes 163.160, fourth-degree assault is classified as a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to 364 days in jail and a fine of as much as $6,250, according to legal analysis from Oliveros Law Group. That same analysis notes the charge is Oregon's baseline assault offense when physical injury is alleged without felony aggravating factors, and can escalate to a Class C felony only if circumstances like prior assault convictions or domestic violence apply. Pickel has no prior criminal history, and the case was filed as a misdemeanor.
The reckless driving count carries its own penalties. Reckless driving under Oregon Revised Statutes 811.140 is likewise a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6,250 maximum fine, per Romano Law. Oregon law defines the offense as operating a vehicle while consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable safety risk.
Prosecutors are well within their window to pursue the case. Oregon Revised Statutes 131.125 sets a two-year statute of limitations for misdemeanor prosecutions, running after the crime is committed, according to Justia Law.
A Portland BBQ Landmark Caught in the Crossfire
Podnah's Pit Barbecue, where the confrontation unfolded, is on Northeast Killingsworth Street.
Hoodline also covered a Wheat Ridge assault involving a DoorDash order.
