Rideshare company and hospital sued by Texas Lyft driver after passenger choked him with seatbelt.

The Lyft driver who claims a passenger attacked him in Texas by choking him with his own seatbelt while driving him to his destination has filed a lawsuit against Lyft and the hospital where he picked up the passenger.

In February of this year, the passenger was assisted to the vehicle by staff at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston who had requested the ride from Driver Kehinde Ayoola.

Ayoola stated to Fox 26 that he was attempting to murder him by pulling his seatbelt and placing it around his neck, causing him to choke.

In connection with the attack, Ramiro Vella was accused of Aggravated Assault.

Since the incident, Ayoola has been fearful of falling victim to another violent attack, as he has explained the impact it has had on him.

He said that he is always scared when someone tries to pass behind him, just like we're sitting here. He sees it every day and it replays over and over again in his mind.

For seven years, he had been a rideshare driver until the incident made him fearful of picking up passengers.

Even though my grandson is sitting behind me in the car, I'm still scared, Ayoola admitted.

Upon arriving at the hospital to pick up Vella, Ayoola noticed the man standing with three hospital workers, displaying fidgety behavior and strange actions.

"In February, when I picked up that passenger, I spoke to the Memorial Hermann staff. I inquired, "What's going on? Is this person okay?" They responded, "Oh yes, it's okay." I also asked the security guard, who confirmed, "Yes, it's okay.""

Ayoola claims that the passenger grabbed his seatbelt and wrapped it around Vella's neck after Vella started talking to himself, beat his chest, and slid over to the backseat.

Ayoola tried to insert his fingers between his neck and the seatbelt, but he couldn't undo the belt. Then, Vella grabbed Ayoola's arm and put him in a chokehold.

Ayoola said that the driver pulled his car over to the side of the road, and Vella kicked the back window until the frame popped out before kicking a dent into the back of the vehicle and opening the trunk.

Vella ran to a house and began yelling, attempting to enter. The homeowner called 911 and Vella was arrested.

Memorial Hermann Hospital ordered and supervised a Lyft journey for Ayoola, who was an innocent, hardworking man, but he was attacked during the ride. Ayoola's Attorney, Osayuki Ogbeidet, shared this information with Fox 26.

Ogbeide stated that he conveyed his worries to Memorial Hermann staff, who assured him that Ramiro Vella would recover.

Ayoola has undergone "extraordinary damages," which encompass more than just financial losses like wages and medical bills; his entire life has been disrupted.

Vella's next court date is scheduled for Sept. 25.