McDonald’s Corp. and two of its franchise operators are facing a civil lawsuit over the death of a woman who was attacked by a homeless individual while purchasing food with her husband at a drive-through in Boyle Heights in March 2024.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Jose Juan Rangel, also names R&B Sanchez and DRS Hospitality LLC as defendants, identified as the former and current operators of the restaurant located on North Soto Street. The complaint accuses the companies of negligence and wrongful death and seeks unspecified monetary damages.

According to the lawsuit, the restaurant was known for recurring security problems and the frequent presence of individuals loitering in the area. The plaintiff alleges that restaurant employees failed to take action despite observing the situation through live security camera feeds.

The incident occurred on March 9, 2024, when Charles Cornelius Green Jr. approached the couple’s vehicle and began asking for money. The individual later physically assaulted Rangel and then attacked his wife, María Vargas Luna, who suffered a severe blow to the head that caused permanent brain damage. Luna remained hospitalized for several months before ultimately dying.

The lawsuit further alleges that, despite the severity of the attack, restaurant employees did not request police or medical assistance at the time of the incident.

In addition, the court filing states that between 2020 and 2024, Los Angeles police responded to nearly 130 incidents at the Soto Street location, involving violent crimes, robberies, and other public safety issues.

In response to the lawsuit, “D.S.,” a local McDonald’s restaurant owner and operator, contacted Baja News and issued the following statement: 

“We express our most sincere condolences to Mr. Rangel and his family following this tragic incident. We are a family-owned business deeply committed to serving the local community safely. While we cannot provide further comment at this time due to ongoing litigation, we do not believe the facts support these allegations, and we will respond fully through the appropriate legal channels.”

— D.S, local McDonald’s restaurant owner/operator