Lyft Driver Choked, Threatened To Kill Female Passenger: Hillsborough Sheriff

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — A Lyft driver was arrested Jan. 29 for choking and threatening to kill a woman he picked up as a passenger via the ride-share app in October, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies began their investigation on Oct. 8 after the victim reported the attack by her Lyft driver, later identified as Joaquin Mena Vazquez, 27.

While on the way to her destination, Mena Vazquez pulled the vehicle into a grassy area and put it in park, the sheriff’s office said.

He got into the backseat, choked the woman and threatened to kill her, detectives said.

She convinced him to stop, allowing her to get out of the car.

After a months-long investigation, Mena Vazquez was arrested without incident and charged with battery by strangulation and false imprisonment.

Lyft records show that he had two “prior complaints of inappropriate conduct” during rides, the sheriff’s office said. These incidents are now under investigation.

"This victim simply wanted to get home safely, and instead, she was met with violence and fear for her life. This kind of predatory behavior will not be ignored," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "I commend the victim for coming forward. Her courage may have stopped this suspect from harming someone else. Predators who target innocent people have no place in our community.”

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