> At a Glance
> – 75-year-old veteran Lloyd Poole is in a coma after being punched by a DoorDash driver
> – Driver Ryan Turner, 40, charged with aggravated assault; posted $35,000 bond
> – Incident occurred Dec. 28 in Wixom, Michigan when Poole told driver to slow down
> – Why it matters: Senseless assault on elderly neighbor highlights risks of road-rage encounters
A Sunday afternoon plea for slower driving in a quiet Michigan neighborhood left 75-year-old Lloyd Poole hospitalized in a coma, his family keeping vigil as prosecutors charge the 40-year-old DoorDash driver allegedly responsible.
The Confrontation
Poole stepped out of his driveway on Barberry Circle around 5:21 p.m. on Dec. 28 to flag down a speeding delivery car, according to police and family accounts.
Jen Shaw, Poole’s daughter, told News Of Los Angeles the driver stopped, then:
- Punched her father “right in the side of the head”
- Left Poole motionless in the roadway
- Drove away without rendering aid
> “My dad fell, never got up, never moved,” Shaw said.
Medical Aftermath
Paramedics rushed Poole to hospital where doctors documented:
- A black eye
- Massive head trauma requiring emergency surgery
- Partial skull removal to relieve brain swelling
Shaw says her father remains non-responsive:
> “He can’t talk. He’s not awake. We don’t know when he’s going to get out of this hospital bed. That may never happen.”
Legal Fallout
Ryan Turner surrendered to Wixom Police, admitting he felt threatened after being told to slow down and claiming he struck Poole, according to investigators.
| Charge | Bond | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Aggravated assault | $35,000 | Posted Jan. 1; released pending trial |
DoorDash removed Turner permanently, calling the incident “appalling and unacceptable” and pledging cooperation with authorities.
Family Vigil
Relatives have organized rotating bedside shifts as doctors monitor Poole’s condition:
- No signs of consciousness
- Prognosis uncertain
- Family hopeful but “very concerned”
> “You just don’t know with the brain,” Shaw said.
Key Takeaways
- 75-year-old veteran remains comatose after single punch
- DoorDash driver charged with aggravated assault; free on bond
- Delivery platform banned Turner nationwide and promised full cooperation
- Neighbors urge calm as family awaits signs of recovery
The case underscores how a moment of alleged road rage can irrevocably alter multiple lives in seconds.
