A Lyft driver in Texas, Kehinde Ayoola, has filed a lawsuit against Lyft and the hospital where he picked up a passenger who later attacked him. The passenger, Ramiro Vella, choked Ayoola with his own seatbelt while he was driving him to his destination, leading to the driver fearing for his safety and well-being. Vella was charged with Aggravated Assault in connection with the attack, and Ayoola has been deeply impacted, unable to pick up passengers due to his fears.
Ayoola explained that when he arrived at the hospital to pick up Vella, he observed the man standing with hospital workers and exhibiting strange behavior. Despite his concerns, the hospital staff reassured him that everything was okay with Vella. However, shortly after Vella entered Ayoola’s car, he began behaving erratically before attacking the driver by wrapping his seatbelt around his neck and putting him in a chokehold. Ayoola’s attempts to free himself were unsuccessful, and Vella caused damage to the vehicle before running off and being arrested at a nearby house.
Ayoola’s attorney, Osayuki Ogbeidet, described him as an innocent and hardworking man who was simply trying to complete a Lyft journey when the attack occurred. He expressed concerns to the hospital staff about Vella’s behavior, but they reassured him that everything was fine. Ogbeidet highlighted the devastating impact the attack has had on Ayoola, causing not just physical harm but also emotional trauma that has completely disrupted his life. Vella’s court date is scheduled for September 25.
The violent attack on Ayoola has left him shaken and fearful of being targeted again, with the incident playing in his mind repeatedly on a daily basis. He has been unable to work as a rideshare driver, a job he held for seven years, due to the lingering trauma and anxiety stemming from the attack. Even the presence of his grandson in the car does not alleviate his fears, illustrating the profound impact the attack has had on his mental well-being.
Despite his attempts to communicate his concerns about Vella’s behavior to the hospital staff prior to the attack, Ayoola was reassured that everything was okay, highlighting a lack of proactive intervention on their part. The fact that Vella was able to carry out such a violent assault while under the care of the hospital raises questions about the responsibility of institutions in ensuring the safety of individuals in their care. Ayoola’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks faced by rideshare drivers and the importance of prioritizing safety measures to protect them from harm.
