Tragic Loss in McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak: Colorado Man Dies

A tragic loss occurred in the recent severe E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald’s in Colorado. One victim, JC Smith, 88, from Grand Junction, succumbed to the illness, leaving his family devastated. The outbreak has seen 90 cases in 13 states, with 26 cases linked to Colorado, where E. coli was traced to onions used on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches.

Victim’s Passionate Story

JC Smith and his wife Doris frequently enjoyed late meals at their local McDonald’s, often opting for Quarter Pounders. After a September visit, JC fell seriously ill and was hospitalized for E. coli, but was discharged after four days. Unfortunately, he returned to the restaurant and became critically ill again, leading to his death on October 20th.

Impact on the Family

The family of JC Smith, including his daughter Debbie Bonnell and son Jim Smith, are dealing with unspeakable grief. JC was a Marine veteran and died after eating an E. coli-contaminated Quarter Pounder. Doris, JC’s wife, usually takes her onions off her own burger to avoid eating them due to not being a fan. The repeated visits to McDonald’s exposed JC to the E. coli containing onions.

Health Department Notification

Health officials notified the public two days after JC’s death regarding the outbreak. Doris and Debbie revealed that they were unaware of the specific restaurant they should avoid, had JC not met with his tragic fate twice at McDonald’s.

Family’s Concerns and Decisions

The Smith family reacted with deep anger towards the possibility that the necessary precautions could have been taken to avoid this tragedy at the beginning of the outbreak. They express their fear that those in the line of work might become complacent and disregard safety measures, leading to more incidents. The Smiths have so far made no immediate moves towards litigation.

Conclusion and Call-to-Action

The loss of JC Smith serves as a stark reminder about the importance of food safety and the tragic consequences of E. coli outbreaks. While health officials have since begun addressing the issues, this incident emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance in commercial food establishments to prevent such tragic incidents. If you suspect you’ve consumed contaminated food, please seek immediate medical attention.