Michigan Veteran Lloyd Poole, 75, Left in Coma After DoorDash Driver Ryan Turner Allegedly Punches Him for Telling Him to Slow Down

Lloyd Poole, a 75-year-old military veteran, remains in a coma after being allegedly assaulted by DoorDash driver Ryan Turner for asking him to slow down in a residential neighborhood. The incident occurred on December 28 in Wixom, roughly 30 miles outside Detroit, according to local authorities and family members.

Incident Details

Poole reportedly approached Turner at the end of his driveway to caution him about driving too fast through the neighborhood. Turner allegedly exited his vehicle, punched Poole in the head, and left him on the pavement.

“My dad fell. Never got up. Never moved. And the DoorDash driver got back in his vehicle and drove away,” Poole’s daughter, Jen Shaw, told WXYZ.

Poole was rushed to the hospital with a black eye and severe head trauma. Emergency surgery to reduce brain swelling required the removal of part of his skull. He has not regained consciousness since the attack.

DoorDash Driver Ryan Turner

 

“He’s not responding. He can’t talk. He’s not awake,” Shaw said. “We don’t know when he’s going to get out of this hospital bed. That may never happen.”

Arrest and Charges

Turner, 40, later turned himself in at the Wixom Police Department, admitting to striking Poole and leaving the scene. Police say Turner claimed he felt threatened during the confrontation.

He was arrested and booked into the Oakland County Jail, charged with one count of aggravated assault, and posted $35,000 bond on January 1.

Court records show Turner previously faced assault and battery charges in 2022, which were later reduced. He also has prior driving-related offenses, including operating a vehicle with a suspended or invalid license.

DoorDash Response

A DoorDash spokesperson called the incident “absolutely appalling and unacceptable” and confirmed that Turner has been permanently removed from the platform.

“DoorDash has zero tolerance for violence, and we are working with local law enforcement to support their investigation to ensure justice is served,” the spokesperson told CBS News.

Family Concerns

Poole’s family expressed ongoing concerns about Turner, noting that he could still work for other delivery services. Poole’s stepdaughter, Lindsey Gonzalez, said the family is pushing to tighten bond conditions to prevent him from coming near their home, which is close to Turner’s residence.

“It’s scary that he’s out walking around. I want everybody in the public to know his face and stay away from him,” Gonzalez said.

Poole’s family members are rotating shifts at the hospital, remaining hopeful for his recovery while acknowledging the uncertainty.

“You just don’t know with the brain, so we’re very concerned,” Shaw said. “We’re really worried.”

 

Poole’s family members have been rotating shifts at the hospital and remain hopeful for his recovery.