The attack at the McDonald\u2019s on Harter Parkway and Highway 99 left Smith with burns to his face, neck, hands, shoulder and upper body. The 20-year-old is receiving specialized treatment at a Sacramento-area medical center for third-degree burns, according to the Yuba City Police Department.<\/p>\n
Videos posted on TikTok by Smith\u2019s fianc\u00e9e and a GoFundMe campaign created by his mother have documented his recovery, showing injuries from the scalding oil across his back and arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat should have been a normal day at work turned into a nightmare when a coworker assaulted him by throwing hot oil on him,\u201d mother Amber Smith said about the assault on her son. \u201cHe now faces a long and painful recovery process that will include ongoing medical care, treatments and time away from work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The appeal has since raised more than $165,000 toward a $200,000 goal for medical care and lost wages as of Friday morning as Smith continues to heal. One person donated $20,000.<\/p>\n
But Smith from his hospital room considered himself fortunate \u2014 \u201cblessed,\u201d he said \u2014 for the love and support he has received throughout his ordeal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very thankful. I\u2019m thankful for everything. Everyone blew up that Go Fund Me, and I don\u2019t know what to do anymore, or what to think. But I am extremely blessed and I feel I\u2019m one of the luckiest people on Earth and I thank everyone for helping me feel that way and just helping me get through this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The suspect in the attack, Jalani Bluett, 23, of Yuba City<\/a>, allegedly fled the restaurant after the attack but was arrested May 31 by Sutter County Sheriff\u2019s Office deputies. Bluett is being held without bail at Sutter County Jail in Yuba City, where he faces charges of mayhem, battery causing serious bodily injury, and, assault with a deadly weapon.<\/p>\n He was scheduled to appear Friday in Sutter Superior Court for a preliminary hearing.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n