Texas Lyft driver choked by passenger with seatbelt during ride
- Kehinde Ayoola, a Lyft driver, was attacked by passenger Ramiro Vella in February while driving him from a Houston hospital.
- The assault involved Vella choking Ayoola with his own seatbelt, leading to significant damage to the vehicle and leaving Ayoola traumatized.
- Ayoola has since filed a lawsuit against Lyft and the hospital, emphasizing the need for better safety measures for rideshare drivers.
In February, a Lyft driver named Kehinde Ayoola was assaulted by a passenger, Ramiro Vella, who choked him with his own seatbelt during a ride. Ayoola had been called to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston to pick up Vella, who was reportedly behaving erratically. After entering the vehicle, Vella began to act strangely, which escalated into a violent attack where he wrapped the seatbelt around Ayoola's neck and placed him in a chokehold. Despite Ayoola's attempts to free himself, he was unable to unfasten the seatbelt, leading to a dangerous situation. The driver managed to pull over, but Vella continued to act aggressively, damaging the vehicle by kicking the back window and trunk. This incident has left Ayoola traumatized, causing him to fear for his safety and refrain from picking up passengers since the attack. Ayoola's attorney has stated that he is an innocent victim who was simply fulfilling a ride request made by the hospital staff. The lawsuit filed by Ayoola against Lyft and the hospital highlights the responsibility of the hospital in ensuring the safety of rideshare drivers when calling for transportation. Vella is facing legal consequences for his actions, with his next court date scheduled for September 25. The case raises important questions about the safety protocols in place for rideshare drivers and the potential risks they face while on the job.