A 75-year-old man from Michigan has died months after he was allegedly punched by a DoorDash driver during a confrontation about speeding in a neighborhood.
Police in the Detroit suburb of Wixom said the incident happened on December 28 near Barberry Circle and Windingway Drive. Officers responded to reports of an elderly man lying unconscious and unresponsive in the road shortly before 5:30 p.m.
The victim was later identified as Lloyd Poole.
DoorDash Driver Allegedly Admitted to Punching Victim
According to investigators, 41-year-old Ryan Turner later went to the Wixom Police Department and admitted he was involved in the incident. Police say Turner told officers he punched Poole because he felt threatened during the confrontation.
Turner, who was reportedly delivering food for DoorDash at the time, said Poole confronted him about allegedly driving too fast through the neighborhood.
Police said Turner admitted that after the punch, Poole fell to the ground and hit his head.
Victim Suffered Serious Brain Injuries
According to local reports, doctors performed emergency brain surgery on Poole after the assault. Medical teams reportedly had to remove part of his skull due to the severity of his injuries.
Poole’s daughter, Jen Shaw, said her father never recovered after the attack.
“He sucker punched my dad, and my dad never got up,” she told local reporters.
Poole died several months after the incident.
Prosecutors Reviewing More Serious Charges
Turner was initially arrested on a misdemeanor aggravated assault charge and later released after posting a $35,000 bond.
However, after Poole’s death, prosecutors said they are reviewing the case and may increase the charges depending on the evidence.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said it was saddened by Poole’s death and would continue seeking justice for the family.
Turner is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Previous Road Rage Conviction Reportedly Revealed
Local reports stated that Turner had previously been convicted in another road rage-related case in 2022. According to reports, he also lost his driver’s license in that earlier case.
DoorDash Responds to Incident
DoorDash released a statement calling the incident “appalling and unacceptable.”
The company said it has permanently removed Turner from its platform and is cooperating with law enforcement officials during the investigation.
