A heartbreaking legal battle has unfolded in California, where a grieving widower is suing McDonald’s after his wife was tragically killed during an assault in a fast food restaurant’s drive-thru.
The incident, which occurred almost two years ago, has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against the fast food giant, as well as two franchise owners.
Jose Juan Rangel, the widower of Maria Vargas Luna, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking justice for the 58-year-old woman’s untimely death.
According to the suit, the assault, which took place in March 2024, could have been prevented had McDonald’s staff taken action.
The Assault That Could Have Been Prevented
The shocking incident began when Maria and her husband drove up to a McDonald’s drive-thru.
They encountered Charles Cornelius Green Jr., a man allegedly known to frequent the area.
Green was reportedly asking customers for money at the time.
As detailed in the lawsuit, employees watched the scene unfold—both through the drive-thru window and via live video feeds—but failed to call 911 or intervene in any way.
In fact, Rangel’s complaint accuses the staff of gross negligence for doing nothing while the assault took place right before their eyes.
The lawsuit claims that Green approached customers for about 10 minutes before targeting Rangel and his wife.
Without warning, he allegedly struck Rangel repeatedly through the open driver’s side window.
In an attempt to protect her husband, Maria rushed to his defense but was forcefully pushed to the ground, hitting her head on the asphalt.
The Devastating Consequences
Maria’s head injury was catastrophic, resulting in severe brain trauma that caused cardiac arrest and permanent brain damage.
She spent months on life support before passing away from her injuries.
Rangel’s lawsuit argues that McDonald’s employees had ample time to recognize the danger Green posed and should have acted swiftly to protect their customers.
Instead, the inaction of the staff directly contributed to the fatal consequences of the attack.
A Long History of Safety Concerns
This incident wasn’t an isolated event.
In the four years leading up to the attack, the Los Angeles Police Department had responded to numerous calls at the same McDonald’s location, including reports of assaults, robberies, and even weapon threats.
Despite the well-documented history of incidents at this particular McDonald’s, Rangel’s complaint suggests that the franchise failed to take adequate security measures.
The lawsuit claims that McDonald’s could have, and should have, hired security personnel or implemented safety protocols to ensure the safety of its customers.
Seeking Accountability
Jose Juan Rangel’s legal action seeks not only financial damages but accountability for the failure to protect his wife and other patrons.
He believes that McDonald’s, as well as the franchise owners, had a responsibility to take action in light of the visible warning signs leading up to the assault.
The lawsuit also reflects a growing sense of frustration from the family.
Veronica Rangel, the stepdaughter of the deceased, expressed outrage over the case, questioning why there had been no real justice.
“Where’s the justice?” she said in an interview.
“My father’s wife is dead, and the person responsible is free.”
A Lack of Justice
The legal system’s handling of the case has further fueled the family’s anger.
Green initially faced felony battery charges, but the felony charge was later dropped, leaving him with a lesser misdemeanor charge.
As of now, he remains free, much to the dismay of the Rangel family.
Rangel’s lawsuit underscores the failure of both the local franchise and the larger corporation to address safety concerns at the store.
He claims McDonald’s is well aware of the risks at this location and could have taken proactive steps to prevent such a tragedy from occurring.
What’s Next?
As the lawsuit progresses, it remains to be seen whether McDonald’s will be held accountable for the tragic death of Maria Vargas Luna.
However, this case raises serious questions about the responsibility of corporations to ensure the safety of their customers, particularly in locations with a history of safety issues.
With the tragic loss of his wife still fresh in his heart, Rangel continues to fight for justice and seeks a sense of closure from the company that failed to act in the face of danger.
The outcome of this case may not only affect those directly involved but could also have a wider impact on how businesses approach safety and security in the future.
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