Cincinnati, OH – A DoorDash driver’s boyfriend has confessed to choking a man to death during a dispute over a driving incident. The incident has prompted a wrongful death lawsuit against the food delivery service, alleging improper conduct by the couple involved.
Lavontez Davis, 26, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of strangulation and involuntary manslaughter for the October 2023 death of Jason McKinnon. The lawsuit, filed by McKinnon’s widow, claims Davis and his girlfriend, Shimya Berry, were working for DoorDash at the time of the altercation.
According to the legal complaint, after the altercation, the couple resumed their deliveries. The complaint states they picked up a DoorDash order shortly after the incident and completed the delivery.
Witnesses reported Davis exited the vehicle and approached McKinnon, who had shouted at Berry for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. The confrontation escalated, resulting in Davis placing McKinnon in a chokehold.
Days after the incident, McKinnon died from his injuries. Davis, originally charged with murder and felonious assault, was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison.
The civil lawsuit names Davis, Berry, and DoorDash as defendants, claiming their actions contributed to McKinnon’s death. The lawsuit also includes statements from family members expressing the immense loss suffered due to the incident.
McKinnon’s widow, Emily Livingston, stated that the event has caused unbearable pain for her and her family. DoorDash issued a statement expressing condolences, emphasizing that Davis was not a registered driver for the company.
