California widower sues McDonald’s after wife Maria Vargas Luna dies following drive-thru attack

A tragic incident unfolded at a McDonald’s drive-thru in East Los Angeles, where a homeless man attacked a couple, resulting in the death of a woman. Jose Juan Rangel filed a lawsuit against the fast-food chain and franchise holders, claiming that McDonald’s employees failed to intervene and save his wife, Maria Vargas Luna, during the altercation.

The lawsuit detailed how the couple was approached by a homeless man, Charles Cornelius Green Jr., who had been lingering in the drive-thru area, asking for money from customers. Green suddenly attacked Rangel, repeatedly striking him in the face through the car window. Luna bravely tried to help her husband but was pushed to the ground by Green, causing her to sustain severe head injuries that led to permanent brain damage.

Despite the visible signs of danger leading up to the attack, McDonald’s employees allegedly did not call law enforcement or request emergency assistance. The lawsuit claimed that the employees had enough time to recognize the threat posed by Green and intervene before the assault occurred.

Luna was rushed to the hospital, where she was placed on life support for several months before succumbing to her injuries. The lawsuit revealed that Green was a known vagrant who had caused disturbances at the McDonald’s location before. The lack of security measures and the failure to address the dangerous conditions on the property allegedly contributed to the tragic incident.

The lawsuit also highlighted the history of criminal activities at the McDonald’s location, with the Los Angeles Police Department responding to numerous violent incidents over the years. Despite this, the employees allegedly did not take any action to protect the couple during the attack.

Green initially faced charges for battery, but the felony charge was dropped after authorities determined that Luna’s fall was accidental. The case against Green remains unresolved, leaving the couple’s family seeking justice for the tragic loss.

Veronica Rangel, the couple’s daughter, criticized the handling of the case by the authorities, expressing frustration over the lack of justice for her parents. The heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety of customers and addressing security concerns at public establishments to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.