Edhat Staff
By the edhat staff
A local car dealership has donated a vehicle to a homeless woman who heroically helped rescue a man from a fiery vehicle collision last month.
Rebecca Neal and her two-year-old dog Bella were driving on Highway 154 near Paradise Road on the evening of November 17. She ended up being one of the first people on the scene of a vehicle rollover leaving the driver trapped.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reported a vehicle crashed, rolled, and caught on fire. The vehicle became fully engulfed with fire and spread to nearby vegetation. The single-occupant male driver was pulled from the vehicle by a female bystander, Fire Captain Scott Safechuck stated.
The Independent reports, witnesses saw two men working to free the driver but the fire grew and the men backed away with burn injuries. The driver was then able to free himself through the windshield when Neal arrived and helped pull the driver to safety. She grabbed water bottles from her car to put out the fire on the lower half of the driver’s body. She then stayed with the driver to keep him conscious until firefighters arrived.
Captain Safechuck stated the driver sustained serious burn injuries and was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in critical condition, but survived due to bystanders heroic efforts. Neal was also transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation and minor burn injuries.
“I know that he’s going to live and that’s the most important thing, to know that family is not going to be grieving that loss of one of their family members and especially right before the holidays,” Neal said to ABC News.
Neal, a Santa Barbara native who recently fell on hard times, has been living in her vehicle with her dog while searching for employment.
Now Kirby Subaru of Ventura has donated a Subaru Outback for her big act of kindness as well as a new dog bed and treats for Bella.
“We are donating it to a lady who is a hero in our eyes, a hero in the community, and a well deserved donation,” said Jeff Sukay of Kirby Subaru to ABC News.
Randal Jackson, a man at the scene of the crash, took care of Neal’s dog Bella and car while she was in the hospital. He’s since started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Neal’s healthcare treatment and living costs. The page has since raised nearly $28,000.
Jackson said Neal is now searching for looking for short- or long-term housin, including an RV or trailer on a site.
“If anyone knows of a room or other situation available, please contact us. She has done dog sitting and house sitting in the past and would also consider trading yard or house work for a lower rent,” wrote Jackson.
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November 17, 2022: Vehicle Rollover Sparks Fire, Shuts Down Highway 154
December 5, 2022: GoFundMe Raises Money for Heroic Homeless Woman
I wonder who is going to pay the sales tax on the vehicle purchase and the income tax for the gift to the woman? This and the annual reg fees for a brand new car can be quite expensive especially for a homeless person.
She has a substantial gofundme that would more than cover taxes. I worry more about the registration fees, which are much higher for new vehicles (and repeat annually, of course). I hope it all works out for her!
Financially, the best choice is probably to sell the vehicle and procure a cheaper one that is cheaper to repair. I hope she will consider all options.
I can’t be the only one getting these updates. This one is … interesting.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/homeless-hero-in-santa-barbara/update/33388113/gallery/1
I listened for about 5 minutes.
I was hoping Rebecca’s situation had been Resolved, the last “Update” on the GoFundMe site is November 19,2023 🙁 https://www.gofundme.com/f/homeless-hero-in-santa-barbara
It’s listing 18 Updates the one on May 31st, 2023 by Rebecca Neal is a real heart-breaker…