A Florida woman suffered severe burns when a stranger allegedly set gasoline on fire. Police say the attack was unprovoked.
Incident Details
The victim, Christine Sherbuk, was refueling her Volvo SUV at a Mobil station in St. Petersburg. At around 8 p.m., Eleanor Crawford allegedly approached and ignited the gasoline, causing the vehicle to catch fire. Sherbuk sustained second-degree burns to her arms and back.
Emergency Response
Nearby, Scotty Gramling witnessed the flames and helped Sherbuk. He drove her to safety in his truck and contacted 911. Sherbuk was taken to Tampa General Hospital where she remains in serious condition, though stable.
Suspect’s Background
Crawford has a long record, including drug and alcohol charges, but her motive remains unclear,said Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev.
Police apprehended Crawford nearby shortly after the incident. Witnesses reported seeing her set the gasoline on fire, and video evidence supports these accounts.
Legal Proceedings
Crawford faces charges of attempted felony murder and arson. She remains in custody on a $350,000 bond and will be equipped with a GPS monitor if released. The investigation is ongoing.