A California man is suing McDonald’s after what he describes as a horrifying and fatal attack inside one of the restaurant’s drive-thrus — an incident he claims employees watched unfold without stepping in or calling for help.
Jose Juan Rangel, 76, filed a legal complaint on Thursday, Jan. 8, nearly two years after he and his wife, Maria Vargas Luna, were allegedly assaulted while waiting for their order at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Los Angeles.
According to the complaint and local reporting, the couple pulled into the drive-thru on March 9, 2024. While they waited, a man identified as Charles Cornelius Green Jr. — described in the filing as a known vagrant who frequently loitered at the location — allegedly spent about 10 minutes approaching cars and asking customers for money.
The lawsuit claims McDonald’s employees were watching Green’s behavior in real time through live security feeds but chose not to intervene or contact authorities.
Without warning, Green allegedly struck Rangel through the open driver-side window. He then moved to the passenger side and attacked Luna. When Rangel got out of the car to defend his wife, the situation escalated into a physical struggle. Luna exited the vehicle to help — and that’s when the filing says Green shoved her to the ground.
Her head hit the asphalt.
The impact allegedly caused severe head trauma, triggered a cardiac event, and resulted in catastrophic brain damage. The complaint further alleges that McDonald’s employees continued to watch the assault through the drive-thru window and on security monitors — yet did not call 911 or initiate any emergency response.
Luna was rushed to a hospital and placed on life support, where she remained for several months before ultimately dying from her injuries.
The lawsuit paints a grim picture of the location’s safety record, claiming the restaurant was already known in the community for ignoring customer safety. According to the filing, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to approximately 132 emergency calls at or near the McDonald’s between January 2020 and the date of the attack.
Rangel is suing for wrongful death, negligence, premises liability, negligent hiring and supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and loss of consortium. He is seeking damages and has requested a jury trial.
In a statement provided to PEOPLE, franchise owner Dean Sanchez expressed sympathy for the family but denied wrongdoing.
“Our hearts go out to Mr. Rangel and his family after this tragic incident,” the statement read. “We’re a family-owned business deeply committed to safely serving the local community. While we’re unable to comment further due to ongoing litigation, we do not believe the facts support these claims and will respond through the proper legal channels.”
Rangel’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The case now heads to court, where a jury may ultimately decide whether a routine fast-food stop turned deadly because no one stepped in when it mattered most.
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