MIAMI – A woman who saw a man on fire at a gas station on Christmas Day is being credited with helping to save his life.
"(The victim) was saying, ‘Help, someone help me,'" said Henriette Manuel.
According to authorities, Darrell Brackett ran out of gas and went to the U-Gas off NW47th Street and 27th Avenue to fill up a can. That's when the 44-year-old got into some sort of a fight with three men. The group doused Brackett in gasoline, set him on fire and took off, detectives said.
"I thought a car had been set on fire," said Manuel. "And I said, ‘Let me go see what happened. I stopped him and I said, ‘Are you okay?' and he said, ‘No, they set me on fire.'"
Manuel rushed to help Brackett put out the flames and save his life.
"You know, I just figure it's God who placed me there for a reason," said Manuel.
Over 75 percent of Brackett's body was burned. Brackett's mother told Local 10's Baron James he is still listed in critical condition and can only communicate by nodding. The mother said he has had several toes amputated and will undergo his fifth surgery since Christmas on Wednesday.
Brackett's family has passed out flyers and asked for the public's help in the search for his suspected attacker, 29-year-old Willie Summersett.
Manuel said her prayers for Brackett have been ongoing.
"I'm just praying that he recovers and be okay," said Manuel.
Anyone with information about Summersett's whereabouts is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866471-8477.