A quiet Michigan neighborhood became the scene of a life-altering act of violence late last year, leaving a 75-year-old U.S. military veteran in a coma and raising serious questions about accountability, public safety, and the responsibilities of gig-economy companies.
Lloyd Poole has remained hospitalized since December 28 after allegedly being punched by Ryan Turner, a DoorDash delivery driver with a prior conviction for road rage. What began as a brief confrontation over speeding escalated into a catastrophic medical emergency that has left Poole unconscious, his family uncertain whether he will ever recover, and the accused assailant free on bond while criminal proceedings move forward.
The December 28 Confrontation in Wixom
According to police and family accounts, the incident unfolded just before 5:30 p.m. on December 28 in Wixom, Michigan. Lloyd Poole, a 75-year-old veteran described by relatives as active and independent, reportedly noticed a vehicle being driven at high speed through his residential neighborhood. Concerned about safety, Poole walked down his driveway and into the roadway to confront the driver and ask him to slow down.
That driver was later identified as Ryan Turner, 40, who was working as a DoorDash delivery driver at the time. Police say a verbal exchange took place between the two men. Turner subsequently told officers that he felt threatened during the encounter. However, investigators allege that Turner responded by striking Poole with a closed fist.
The punch caused Poole to fall backward onto the roadway, where he struck his head on the pavement. The impact rendered him unconscious almost immediately. Rather than stopping to provide assistance or call emergency services, Turner is accused of returning to his vehicle and driving away, leaving Poole lying unresponsive in the street.
Wixom police officers arrived on the scene after receiving a report of an elderly man unconscious in the roadway. Emergency responders transported Poole to a hospital, where doctors quickly determined that he had suffered catastrophic head injuries. His condition deteriorated rapidly, necessitating emergency brain surgery to relieve a severe brain bleed. During the procedure, part of Poole’s skull was removed to reduce swelling and pressure on his brain.
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Since that day, Poole has not regained consciousness. His family has said he remains in a coma, unable to speak or respond, with doctors unable to offer clear predictions about his recovery. His daughter, Jen Shaw, has described the attack as sudden and devastating, emphasizing that her father “never got up” after being struck.
Medical Fallout and the Family’s Ordeal
The physical consequences of the alleged assault have been severe and life-altering. Lloyd Poole’s injuries include a traumatic brain injury so serious that doctors were forced to perform a decompressive craniectomy, a procedure reserved for extreme cases where swelling threatens to cause fatal brain damage. Even with this intervention, Poole remains unconscious weeks later, with no clear timeline for improvement.
Family members have been keeping a constant presence at the hospital, taking shifts to remain by his bedside. They have spoken publicly about the emotional toll of watching a once-healthy and active elderly man lie unresponsive, connected to machines, with no certainty about whether he will wake up or what level of function he might have if he does.
According to Shaw, the uncertainty is one of the most painful aspects. She has said that doctors cannot predict whether Poole will emerge from the coma in days, weeks, months, or possibly never. The possibility that he may remain permanently incapacitated looms heavily over the family, who are grappling not only with fear and grief but also with anger over the circumstances that led to his condition.
Poole’s status as a military veteran has also drawn attention to the case. Family members and supporters have emphasized that he served his country and survived decades only to suffer catastrophic injuries in what they describe as a senseless act of violence in his own neighborhood. For them, the fact that the confrontation stemmed from a simple request to slow down has made the outcome even harder to accept.
The family has also expressed concern about their sense of safety. Turner, who lives only a short walk from Poole’s home, was released from jail after posting bond. Shaw and other relatives have asked the court to modify Turner’s bond conditions to ensure he stays away from their home, citing both proximity and the emotional distress caused by knowing he is nearby while Poole lies in a coma.
Criminal Charges, Prior Convictions, and Corporate Response
Ryan Turner was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault in connection with the incident. Under Michigan law, aggravated assault is a serious offense that can carry significant penalties if the accused is convicted. Despite the severity of Poole’s injuries, Turner was able to post a $35,000 bond and was released from the Oakland County Jail last Thursday.
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Court records obtained by local media have added another troubling dimension to the case. Turner was previously charged and convicted in 2022 in a separate road rage assault. That earlier incident resulted in the loss of his driver’s license, underscoring a documented history of violent behavior related to driving. This prior conviction has fueled public debate over whether Turner should have been permitted to work as a delivery driver at all, particularly in a role that involves frequent driving in residential areas.
DoorDash has confirmed that Turner has since been permanently removed from its platform. In a statement, a company spokesperson described the incident as “absolutely appalling and unacceptable,” reiterating that DoorDash maintains a zero-tolerance policy for violence. The company said it is cooperating with local law enforcement to support the investigation but declined to comment on whether Turner’s prior conviction violated its internal safety protocols at the time he was allowed to work.
The case has drawn attention to broader concerns about background checks and oversight in the gig economy. Delivery drivers often operate as independent contractors, and while many platforms conduct background screenings, critics argue that gaps remain, particularly when it comes to monitoring ongoing criminal behavior or driving-related offenses. Turner’s prior conviction has raised questions about how such information is evaluated and whether additional safeguards are necessary to prevent similar incidents.
From a legal perspective, prosecutors will likely examine not only the alleged punch itself but also Turner’s decision to leave the scene. Fleeing after causing serious injury can weigh heavily in charging decisions and sentencing considerations. Turner’s claim that he felt threatened will be scrutinized against witness statements, physical evidence, and the disproportionate outcome of the encounter.
Meanwhile, Poole’s family continues to navigate a painful waiting period as the criminal justice process unfolds. For them, the case is not only about accountability but also about recognition of the profound harm done. They have expressed frustration that Turner was able to secure release while Poole remains unconscious in a hospital bed, his future uncertain.
As the case proceeds, it is likely to remain a focal point for discussions about road rage, accountability, and the responsibilities of companies whose workers interact with the public in unpredictable and sometimes volatile situations. For now, however, the focus remains on Lloyd Poole’s condition and the hope, however fragile, that he may one day wake from the coma caused by a single, devastating blow.
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