Arby's Employee Throws Hot Grease On Customer During Drive-Thru Scuffle: 'She Just Snapped'

A 50-year-old employee at an Arby's restaurant in Alabama has been arrested for allegedly throwing hot grease on a customer. The incident left the victim with significant burns.

Hueytown Police Department said the fast-food joint worker, identified as Shea Denise Peoples, was charged Monday with first-degree assault and sent to jail on a $30,000 bond. She was released Monday night after she posted the bond, according to jail records.

Peoples threw hot grease at a female customer, who was in her early 30s, in the drive-thru Saturday following an altercation over the service. Hueytown Police Chief Mike Yarbrough said the unidentified customer had two children with her inside the car at the time, according to WBRC.

The restaurant employee "for lack of a better word, just snapped" and threw hot grease on the customer, Yarbrough said.

Peoples was taken into custody at the scene.

The drive-thru customer was transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham following the incident and received medical treatment. Her family told WVTM 13 that 60% of her body sustained third-degree burns. They also noted that the victim did not know the Arby's employee prior to the incident.

Following the incident, the Arby's joint temporarily shut down to conduct its own investigation and reopened Monday. A spokesperson said Peoples was terminated after the incident came to light.

"The actions of the former employee in Hueytown, AL, were reprehensible," the Arby's spokesperson said in a statement quoted by CBS46. "We immediately terminated the offender, and we are cooperating with the local authorities in their investigation. Our heart goes out to the guest, and we are working to help support their recovery."

The customer's family has filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County.

"We're shocked by what happened and the outrageous conduct of Arby's and the manager and employee. It's certainly unfortunate," said lawyer Ryan Canon, who is representing the victim.

Canon added that the victim will need additional treatment and said, "We want to make sure and get the full story and hold those responsible for what happened and to get full justice in this situation."