A 41-year-old Florida woman was set on fire while pumping gas at a Saint Petersburg station after she refused to give money to a stranger she had just let borrow her phone, police said. The attack left the victim with second-degree burns and prompted Florida's lieutenant governor to speak out.
Police said the woman was fueling her Volvo SUV at a Mobil gas station on Thursday when she was approached by Eleanor Crawford, 41. Crawford asked to borrow the victim's phone and then asked her for money, officials said. When the woman declined, Crawford allegedly used a lighter to ignite the gas nozzle, setting the victim's vehicle ablaze.
The fire engulfed the woman's vehicle, leaving her seriously injured. She was taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment. Officers arrested Crawford about a block from the scene and charged her with two counts of arson.
Witness raised alarm before attack
A witness named Scotty Gramling rushed to help the victim into his truck and called 911, according to the New York Post. Gramling described the blaze as being like a fireball.
Gramling, who had been parked nearby, had already called the non-emergency police line moments before the attack after he saw Crawford fighting with a person who had just pulled her out of a road. Police officers were already responding to that first report when Crawford allegedly set the woman on fire.
Lieutenant governor condemns 'horrifying' attack
The nature of the crime prompted Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins to speak out about public safety. Saint Petersburg is a city on Florida's Gulf Coast, and Collins serves alongside Governor Ron DeSantis as the state's second-highest elected official.
"This happened in our community to a woman simply going about her life, and it is horrifying," Collins said. "People should be able to do something as ordinary as pumping gas without fearing for their safety."
Collins added that he was praying for the victim's recovery and was grateful for the Good Samaritan who stepped in, as well as the law enforcement officers and first responders who acted quickly. "We will always stand behind the men and women who work every day to keep Floridians safe," he said.
Suspect has lengthy criminal history
Officials said Crawford has a lengthy criminal record consisting of several charges for drugs and alcohol. Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev said it was unclear whether substance use played a role in the attack but suggested her history might point to diminished capacity.
"I don't know if alcohol and drugs were involved, but indicative of her history, there might've been something that diminished capacity there," Kovacsev said. "Why would she even do something like this? It's kind of a unique case because you don't see anything like this, especially something that results in such horrific burns."
Kovacsev said police worked with the fire department and were able to get the victim stabilized, adding that she is going to make it. Crawford was booked on charges of felony murder and arson.
