New Iberia, Lafayette~ According to a lawsuit filed by her daughters, a woman who was found dead in an Arby’s freezer “beat her hands bloody” trying to escape. 63-year-old Nguyet Le was caught in a walk-in freezer while working as general manager on an extended temporary assignment at an Arby’s restaurant in New Iberia, Louisiana managed by Turbo Restaurants, a franchise management business affiliated with Sun Holdings. According to the lawsuit, her son Nguyen “tragically” found her body on May 11 after clocking in for his shift.
Le was dropped off at the business to open up before the rest of the staff came, and that’s when she got stuck in the freezer. The freezer door’s interior was bloodied, the lawsuit said, and the investigating officer concluded that Ms. Le panicked when she was stuck inside and beat her hands bloody while trying to escape or attract attention. Finally, she “crawled face down on the frozen floor in a foetal position.”
The lawsuit said the company’s policy required a freezer temperature of -10 degrees, “if not colder.” According to the claim, hypothermia was determined to be the cause of death. The official cause of death is unknown. Previously, investigators had stated “that foul play is not suspected,” as the family’s attorney stated in a press statement. According to the complaint, the restaurant’s regional manager knew about the broken freezer latch in August 2022. “Thus, Turbo Restaurants had knowledge of an extremely dangerous condition at its restaurant since at least August 2022,” the complaint reads.
They ignored the broken latch for almost 9 months and showed deliberate apathy. According to the lawsuit, this “was the actual and legal cause of Ms. Le’s death.” The lawsuit claims that employees had to use a screwdriver and a box of oil to prop open the door. According to the complaint, Le was a widow with four kids. Le’s eldest child, Nguyen, resided with her since “he was somewhat disabled.” Turbo Restaurants, Sun Holdings (which manages its franchises), and Inspire Brands (which owns Arby’s) are being sued by the family for gross negligence. In the action, they “demand” a trial by jury and compensation of more than a million dollars.
They are asking for compensation for things like loss of consortium, past and future emotional distress, actual physical pain and suffering, financial hardship, and emotional devastation. On Tuesday, PEOPLE reached out to Sun Holdings for comment, but the company did not immediately respond. We are aware of the unfortunate situation that occurred at our franchised restaurant in New Iberia, LA. The franchisee is being completely cooperative with the local authorities in their inquiry. Since this is currently under investigation by the state police, we will have to leave it at that.
News on SNBC13.com
