Florida Lyft driver faces charges for strangling passenger.

Rideshare Driver Arrested in Violent Incident

A Florida rideshare driver has been taken into custody after reportedly threatening to suffocate and kill a passenger in his vehicle.

On October 8, 2025, Lyft driver Joaquin Mena Vasquez, aged 27, allegedly picked up a female passenger and stopped in a grassy area to park, as stated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

According to police reports, Mena Vasquez entered the back seat of his own car and began to strangle the woman while making threats against her life.

The victim, fortunately, managed to persuade him to cease the attack and subsequently exited the vehicle.

In a statement, Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed concern, saying, “This victim simply wanted to get home safely, but instead, she exposed herself to violence and risk for her life. This type of predatory behavior will not go unheeded.”

Authorities applauded the victim for her courage to come forward, noting that her actions might have prevented further harm to others. “Predators who prey on innocent people have no place in our communities,” Sheriff Chronister added.

Following the investigation, two earlier complaints of inappropriate behavior against Mena Vasquez by other Lyft passengers were discovered. These complaints are currently under review, according to police reports.

A spokesperson for Lyft condemned the driver’s actions, labeling them as “horrific and unacceptable.” They added that the driver was removed from the Lyft platform and that they reached out to the victim to offer assistance.