McDonald's worker left in ICU after coworker allegedly threw hot oil at him
A young McDonald’s worker was left in ‘excruciating pain’ after a coworker allegedly threw scalding hot oil at him in a random attack.
Jacob Smith, 20, has spent more than a week in the intensive care unit (ICU) with second-degree burns covering 22 percent of his body following the attack on 30 May.
Jacob, who lives in Yuba City in California, suffered burns on his face, neck, right arm and back, cops told KCRA.
"He was in the office getting ready to count the money when he saw out of the corner of his eye something, and he just turned, and the oil was just thrown on him,” his mother Amber Smith told the outlet.
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"The pain he's experiencing is so excruciating that they can't give him a level of pain medicine outside of the ICU.”
The Yuba City Police Department said the suspect, one of Jacob’s co-workers, left the McDonald’s immediately after the incident.
He was later arrested by Sutter County cops and is being held at Sutter County Jail facing ‘multiple’ charges.
A motive for the alleged attack remains unclear.
Amber added: "I want justice to be served. I want him to serve the time he needs to serve for what he's done to my son.
“I mean, I don't wish bad things towards him. I just want him to understand that what he did — really understand what he did — and the pain that he caused to my son is excruciating.”
John Cook, the owner and operator of the McDonald's, told People in a statement: “The serious incident that took place at our restaurant this past weekend is deeply concerning, and our focus is on supporting our employee, Jacob, as he recovers.
"The safety and well-being of our employees, guests and community remain our top priority.
"The other individual involved is no longer employed by our organisation, and we are fully cooperating with local law enforcement as they continue their investigation.”
In the wake of the incident, the family have set up a GoFundMe page to help support Jacob on his recovery.
In an update on the fundraiser, Jacob thanked his friends and family for their support.
“As much as I want to be angry, or want to hate people and be scared of people it's just so hard to be when I have so many people showing their love for me,” he wrote in an update shared by his mum.
“I'm not sad and I'm not angry and the pain doesn't cause me grief because I know it's necessary to heal. I'm so thankful for everybody.”
Claire Reid