She paid cash for a van on Craigslist -- and sadly, she unknowingly bought a stolen vehicle. But some good guys saw the story on Fox 2 and now grandma's got a new ride.
Click on the video player to watch Ron Savage's report.
Debra Giller of Livonia was ripped off by a woman she connected with on Craigslist. Out $2,400 cash -- a red 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan she purchased actually was reported stolen. Police towed the van away. But, Debra still needed a ride to drive her three grandchildren back and forth from her house to school and to get to her medical appointments. Debra is a stage four cancer patient, the cancer has moved from her breast to her bones.
Jeremy Smythe, the finance manager at D & D All American Auto Sales & Service on Groesbeck at 10 Mile in Warren saw the story on Fox 2 and called to offer Debra a beautiful, 2002 red Dodge Grand Caravan free of charge!
"The owner decided to step up to the plate and donate the van," Smythe told Fox 2.
Debra was handed the keys on Saturday. She jumped out of the driver's seat to give Smythe a hug.
"I've had family members that have had cancer and somebody needed to help her out," he said. "There shouldn't be people out there taking advantage of people with cancer. What kind of dirt bag does that to somebody?"
Debra will start radiation treatments this week. The Problems Solvers want to thank everyone who stepped off and offered to help!
Friday, May 17 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:34:58 GMT
Two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield, Conn., in between the Fairfield and Bridgeport stations. At least 60 people have been hurt, the governor said.
Two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield, Conn., in between the Fairfield and Bridgeport stations. At least 60 people have been hurt, the governor said.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:54:45 GMT
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard."
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard": it will stretch from 44th Street on Broadway all the way to 34th Street.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:03:04 GMT
A 21-year-old Hofstra University student was shot and killed during an apparent home-invasion robbery in Uniondale, Long Island. The suspect also died in the incident.
A 21-year-old Hofstra University student was shot and killed during an apparent home-invasion robbery in Uniondale, Long Island. The suspect also died in the incident.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:17 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:17:46 GMT
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
Friday, January 18 2013 10:59 PM EST2013-01-19 03:59:24 GMT
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Wednesday, May 8 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-09 02:37:53 GMT
A Wayne-Westland firefighter's life has been tragically cut short. Wednesday, 29-year-old Brian Woehlke was killed on the job. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
A Wayne-Westland firefighter's life has been tragically cut short. Wednesday, 29-year-old Brian Woehlke was killed on the job. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
Friday, May 3 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-04 02:31:05 GMT
A beloved girls basketball coach at Cody High School is one of the latest victims of deadly gun violence in Detroit. Family, friends and players gathered on Friday to remember Coach Charles Knott.
A beloved girls basketball coach at Cody High School is one of the latest victims of deadly gun violence in Detroit. Family, friends and players gathered on Friday to remember Coach Charles Knott.
Sunday, April 28 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-04-29 01:33:01 GMT
An investigation is underway into Saturday's explosion and fire at the Marathon refinery in Detroit. On Sunday, residents reported a strong "rotten egg" smell in the area.
An investigation is underway into Saturday's explosion and fire at the Marathon refinery in Detroit. On Sunday, crews were re-testing air quality and residents reported a strong "rotten egg" smell following the incident.
Sunday, April 28 2013 12:41 AM EDT2013-04-28 04:41:28 GMT
A Marathon Petroleum spokesman says no one was hurt after a fire at a refinery in Detroit Saturday. The fire is out, no one hurt, cause under investigation.
A Marathon Petroleum spokesman says no one was hurt after a fire at a refinery in Detroit Saturday. Fox 2 has learned the fire started in one of the smaller tanks; the fire is out and the cause is being investigated.
Friday, April 26 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-04-27 02:33:50 GMT
A father and son got into a heated argument in Harrison Township, according to the Macomb County sheriff. Now 64-year-old Leroy Davis is facing charges and accused of firing a shotgun at his son's car.
A father and son got into a heated argument in Harrison Township, according to the Macomb County sheriff. Now 64-year-old Leroy Davis is facing charges and accused of firing a shotgun at his son's car.
