Widower sues McDonald’s over wife’s death in alleged drive-thru assault

A California widower is suing McDonald’s, saying workers stood apart and refused to name 911 when a vagrant fatally attacked his spouse whereas the couple waited in a drive-thru line.

Jose Juan Rangel filed the lawsuit final week in Los Angeles Superior Court docket, Law & Crime reported. The lawsuit alleges {that a} man described as a “recognized drifter” approached autos after which attacked the couple through the drive-thru of a Boyle Heights restaurant in March 2024.

Rangel and his spouse, 58-year-old Maria Vargas Luna, had been sitting of their automobile ready for meals when Charles Cornelius Inexperienced Jr. reportedly approached and Rangel started attacking by means of the driving force’s aspect window. The criticism says Rangel’s spouse, who was partially blind and tried to assist, was pushed to the bottom and suffered extreme head trauma.

The household beforehand instructed Fox Information that Vargas Luna then suffered a coronary heart assault whereas being rushed to the hospital.

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Maria Vargas Luna suffered two coronary heart assaults after attempting to assist her husband when the couple was attacked at a McDonald’s in Los Angeles in March 2024, her household mentioned. (screenshot ‘Fox & Buddies First’)

She was hospitalized and positioned on life help for a number of months, however finally died from her accidents, the lawsuit mentioned.

“We’re all devastated as a result of my dad is beside himself, and he says he does not wish to dwell with out her as a result of she was his world,” Rangel’s daughter, Veronica Rangel, instructed “Fox & Buddies First” in Could 2024 when Vargas Luna was nonetheless on life help. “They have been married for 30 years, and all she did was hand over her life to defend him, and my father feels responsible. He feels unhappy. He feels indignant. He seems like he is dropping his life companion, his finest pal, for one thing that ought to by no means have occurred.”

The alleged assault occurred within the drive-thru of a McDonald’s within the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles in March 2024. (KTTTV)

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The lawsuit accuses McDonald’s Corp., McDonald’s Eating places of California Inc., McDonald’s USA LLC and the franchisees of performing regardless of seen warning indicators of hazard. It’s alleged that workers noticed Inexperienced loitering and approaching vehicles within the drive-thru for no less than ten minutes, after which did not name 911 or intervene because the assault unfolded.

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“These seen warning indicators required Defendants to take protecting measures, however they did nothing,” the criticism mentioned. “Defendants’ failure to… acknowledge the hazard and reply earlier than the assault occurred instantly contributed to the accidents and loss of life.”

The lawsuit alleges that McDonald’s workers did not name 911 or intervene when the assault occurred. (iStock)

Rangel’s attorneys say the placement has a protracted historical past of police requires violent and prison conduct, together with assault and trespassing, which put McDonald’s on discover of the chance. The criticism alleges claims together with wrongful loss of life, negligence and premises legal responsibility, and seeks compensatory and different damages.

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Inexperienced was initially charged with misdemeanor and misdemeanor assault, however prosecutors later dropped the intense cost, saying surveillance video steered Vargas Luna’s fall was an accident. FOX11Los Angeles reported.

Inexperienced was launched on his personal recognizance and the standing of any felony fees is unclear.