A 75-year-old veteran from Michigan has been left in a coma following a shocking incident outside his home. The altercation occurred after Lloyd Poole advised a DoorDash driver to slow down, leading to an alleged assault by the driver.

The distressing event unfolded on December 28 in Wixom when 40-year-old Ryan Turner, working as a DoorDash driver, reportedly exited his vehicle and struck Poole on the side of the head. The impact of the punch resulted in Poole being rushed into emergency surgery, where part of his skull was removed to alleviate brain swelling.

The confrontation was captured on a neighbor’s security camera, providing crucial evidence of the violent encounter. Poole’s daughter, Jen Shaw, has been anxiously awaiting her father’s recovery and expressed concerns about possible infections, noting that there have been no significant updates on his condition since Wednesday.

Despite the bitter Michigan cold, Poole was following his usual routine, walking his dogs, when the incident occurred. The community and his family are left hoping for positive news as they navigate this difficult time.

Shaw said her dad was walking his dogs as he did every day, despite how frigid the temperatures in Michigan have been.

‘There are no sidewalks in this neighborhood, which is important to keep in mind,’ said Shaw.

‘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.’

The daughter added that Turner stopped his vehicle when her father left his porch to get the driver’s license plate number when the two began exchanging words.

Lloyd Poole, 77, a veteran who served two years, was put into a coma after he was struck on the side of his head

Poole allegedly was struck after he told a speeding driver to slow down while in his neighborhood of Wixom, Michigan

Ryan Turner allegedly struck Poole while he was driving for the delivery app DoorDash

‘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,’ said Shaw.

Wixom Police say Turner confessed to striking Poole and leaving him on the side of the street, according to WILX 10.

Turner claims he reacted in self-defense after he felt threatened by the 75-year-old.

The driver is charged with aggravated assault, a misdemeanor for which he faces up to one year in prison, and posted bond Thursday.

The suspect has prior appearances for assault and battery in 2022, which were pled down to a lesser charge, according to court records.

Turner also has multiple offenses related to driving, including driving with a suspended or invalid license. 

Because of these, Shaw said she didn’t understand why he was working as a delivery driver in the first place.

‘He shouldn’t be driving. He had a suspended license and a long history of driving without a license,’ said Shaw.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, DoorDash called the incident ‘absolutely appalling and unacceptable.’

Jen Shaw, Poole’s daughter, doesn’t understand why Turner was able to drive for the app in the first place given his record of offenses 

Poole had to undergo emergency surgery on his brain to reduce the swelling

‘DoorDash has zero tolerance for violence, and we have permanently removed the individual’s access to the platform,’ noted a spokesperson for the delivery company. 

‘We are working with local law enforcement to support their investigation to ensure justice is served.’

The victim’s daughter noted that online comments say her dad should have minded his own business.

‘It’s not like he initiated any physical contact,’ she added. ‘He told the guy to slow down, and this guy is claiming self-defense – it’s ridiculous.’

‘He stopped his vehicle on the way out of the subdivision and got out. He turned something that could have been a verbal altercation into a physical one that has my dad in a coma.’

‘It’s uncertain whether he’s going to live.’

Shaw felt that Turner should never have been released on bail, and the bail should have been set higher.

‘This is more than a misdemeanor,’ she added.

Poole was drafted and served for two years. He has lived in the Wixom neighborhood for 45 years, and he also regularly volunteers, his daughter said.