‘Somebody pinch me, please’: Woman who lost SUV in arson gifted new car by stranger

CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) - An Ohio woman was given an incredible gift after losing her SUV when a man reportedly set it on fire early Tuesday.

Carla Bannister’s emotional week ended on a much happier note after she was gifted a new car.

Bannister spoke with WXIX after her SUV had been engulfed in flames.

A stranger happened to read the story online and decided to step in.

Surveillance video caught the suspect bust through Bannister’s back window before dousing the SUV with an accelerant and setting it on fire.

Two firefighters extinguished the flames before it could spread to a nearby apartment building.

“I was just on the phone (asking), ‘How am I going to get the kids to day care? How am I going to do this?’” Bannister said.

Bannister’s story touched James Davenport, and he decided to gift her with a car.

“I wanted to make it as easy as I could on this little young lady right here,” Davenport said. “I saw (the story) on Channel 19′s website, and they had the interview with her about this clown burning up her car.”

Bannister lost her peace of mind along with her vehicle. She said she doesn’t know who would burn her car or why they did it.

The Woodlawn Police Department has not arrested anyone in the case, but said it was working several leads on Friday.

“It’s just so overwhelming because, like I said, they still know where I live at,” Bannister said. “To just not know who did this, to be targeted this way, it’s getting terrifying now.”

Davenport said he believes justice will be carried out.

“He will get caught because everything in life comes full circle,” he said.

Bannister said Davenport’s gift has been a tremendous lift for her and her family, not just because she replaced the car she lost, but because she was helped by a complete stranger.

“When you put good into the universe, good comes back to you,” Bannister said. “I just want to thank him so much for blessing me with this car. I have a way to get to work. I have a way to drive my children.”

Anyone with information on who set her SUV on fire is asked to call the Woodlawn Police Department at 513-825-2280.

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