Customer throws drink at pregnant McDonald's worker after she asks him to wait
A shocking video shows the moment an angry customer hurled his drink at a pregnant McDonald's worker's face - all because she asked him to wait two minutes for fresh fries.
Incident Caught on Camera
The disturbing scene unfolded at a busy McDonald's drive-thru in Atlanta during the lunch rush on Tuesday.
Other customers watched in horror as the man, described as being in his mid-30s, became increasingly agitated while waiting in line.
Security footage shows him repeatedly honking his horn and yelling at staff through the speaker before pulling up to the window.
Simple Request Met With Rage
The worker, Maria Santos, 24, who is six months pregnant, explained what sparked the man's outburst.
"I told him his fries would be fresh in just two minutes. He started screaming that he couldn't wait. I tried to stay calm and explain."
Santos said she offered him a free apple pie while he waited, hoping to defuse the situation.
Other employees described the man as becoming more aggressive with each passing moment.
Growing Problem of Customer Violence
This incident highlights a troubling trend of increasing violence against fast-food workers.
Industry reports show attacks on food service employees have risen 50% since 2019.
Local police say they've responded to 37 similar incidents at area fast-food restaurants this year alone.
The Breaking Point
When Santos returned with the fresh fries, the man had reached his limit.
Without warning, he ripped the lid off his large Sprite and threw the full drink directly at Santos's face.
The liquid splashed across her uniform and the surrounding area as she tried to shield herself.
Fortunately, Santos wasn't physically injured, but she was understandably shaken.
Swift Action
Other customers immediately jumped in to help, with one recording the man's license plate as he sped away.
Police identified and arrested the suspect within hours. He now faces assault charges and has been banned from all local McDonald's locations.
The franchise owner has given Santos paid time off and is installing additional security cameras to better protect workers.
"No employee should ever face violence for simply doing their job," said franchise owner Robert Martinez. "We're taking every step to ensure our team's safety."
Santos plans to return to work next week, saying she won't let one person's actions stop her from supporting her growing family.
