Inset: Lavontez Davis (Cincinnati Police Department). Background: Cellphone video showing Lavontez Davis choking Jason McKinnon to death in Cincinnati, Ohio (WXIX).
A tragic incident involving an Ohio DoorDash driver has taken a dramatic turn as her boyfriend confessed to fatally choking a man during an argument. The altercation arose when the DoorDash driver reportedly drove the wrong way on a one-way street while completing a delivery. This incident has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against DoorDash, claiming that the couple continued making deliveries after leaving the scene of the crime.
According to a legal complaint filed by the widow of Jason McKinnon, the victim, Lavontez Davis and his girlfriend, Shimya Berry, were on duty delivering DoorDash orders at the time of the incident. Berry, employed by the San Francisco-based company, was allegedly riding along with Davis as he drove.
The complaint further alleges that the couple, after fleeing the scene, picked up another DoorDash order and completed the delivery.
In a court appearance on Monday, 26-year-old Davis pleaded guilty to charges of strangulation and involuntary manslaughter in connection to the October 2023 death of McKinnon. Initially faced with charges of murder and felonious assault, Davis was sentenced to a prison term ranging from 15 to 20 years, as reported by local Fox affiliate WXIX.
During the court proceedings, Davis addressed McKinnon’s family, expressing his remorse by stating, “I know how it feels to lose people. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. I want you all to know I’m sorry.”
The wrongful death lawsuit filed by McKinnon’s family holds Davis, Berry, and DoorDash accountable for the death of the Ohio resident.
“My client, Emily Livingston, as well as the family and friends of Jason McKinnon have endured a loss that is immeasurable,” said Tabitha Hochscheid, attorney for McKinnon’s widow, in a statement to WXIX. “No criminal case outcome can undo the harm done.”
Livingston’s complaint says she and McKinnon were walking back to her vehicle from an FC Cincinnati soccer match when they saw Berry “attempting to drive the wrong way on a one-way street,” the document alleges.
“Concerned for his safety and the safety of others, Jason McKinnon shouted to defendant Berry that she was driving the wrong way on a one-way street,” the complaint says. “Berry stopped her car and responded verbally. A verbal exchange ensued, during which Berry became upset and verbally abusive.”
The complaint says the argument “escalated” and Davis exited the vehicle and approached the couple. “Davis struck Jason McKinnon, and a physical altercation ensued,” the document explains. “Davis placed Jason McKinnon in a chokehold while plaintiff Livingston and bystanders begged him to stop. … Eventually, Davis released McKinnon from the chokehold, returned to the car with Berry, and fled the scene.”
The complaint accuses Davis and Berry of picking up a DoorDash order at a local CityBird restaurant and delivering it. “Berry had been driving to the restaurant to pick up that order at the time of the altercation and chose to drive the wrong way on the one-way street because it was faster,” the complaint alleges. “Berry was operating as an associate of DoorDash and driving her vehicle on its behalf.”
McKinnon died four days after the attack, WXIX reports.
“This was a horrific and devastating incident, and our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones,” DoorDash told Law&Crime on Monday in a statement. “The suspect was not a Dasher or at all associated with the platform.”
