DoorDash driver charged after punching 75-year-old veteran who told him to slow down

A 75-year-old military veteran is in a coma after allegedly being punched in the head by a DoorDash driver outside his Michigan home after he told the driver to “slow down.”

Lloyd Poole has been hospitalized since the December 28 incident, which occurred outside his residence. Security camera footage from a nearby home captured the confrontation, showing 40-year-old DoorDash driver Ryan Turner getting out of his vehicle and striking Poole.

Poole suffered severe head injuries and required emergency surgery in which part of his skull was removed to reduce swelling of the brain. His daughter, Jen Shaw, said doctors are now concerned about complications.

“They're worried about an infection at this point, but there really haven't been any updates over the past few days, probably since Wednesday,” Shaw told the Daily Mail.

Shaw said the confrontation began when Turner sped past Poole’s home while making a delivery.

“The guy sped past, and my dad called out to him that he needed to slow down. The guy delivered food elsewhere - he passed my dad's house - and then on his way back, my dad yelled out to him again to stop speeding,” she said.

According to Shaw, Turner stopped his vehicle when Poole stepped off the porch to get the license plate number, and the two exchanged words.

“Then out of nowhere, the guy punches my father on the side of the head. He doesn't even try to defend himself. I don't think he saw it coming. He fell, and the guy got back in his car and drove away. He just left him lying in the road.”

WILX 10 reported that Turner later confessed to Wixom police that he struck Poole and left the scene. Turner claimed the attack was in self-defense, saying he felt threatened by the elderly man.

Turner has been charged with aggravated assault and faces up to one year in prison. He is currently out on bond.

Records show he has prior assault and battery charges from 2022 that were reduced to a lesser offense. He also has multiple driving violations, calling into question why he was a delivery driver to begin with.

“He shouldn't be driving. He had a suspended license and a long history of driving without a license,” said Shaw.

DoorDash issued a statement to the Daily Mail condemning the incident, calling it “absolutely appalling and unacceptable.”

“DoorDash has zero tolerance for violence, and we have permanently removed the individual's access to the platform,” a spokesperson said. “We are working with local law enforcement to support their investigation to ensure justice is served.”