Man, 84, Accused of Setting Car on Fire With Ex Inside After She Ended 40-Year Relationship

A romantic relationship spanning more than four decades allegedly ended in flames outside a South Florida convenience store, where an 84-year-old man is accused of setting his own car on fire with his ex-lover still inside.

CBS News reported that Franklin Davis was arrested after the Friday, July 3, blaze in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven on Northwest 9th Avenue in Oakland Park.

According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Lauderdale man had been arguing with the woman, who recently ended their relationship, while the two sat in the parked vehicle. Davis then poured gasoline across the dashboard and seats, lit it with a lighter, and caused an immediate interior explosion while both were inside.

According to the affidavit obtained by the Miami Herald, the woman, who was seated in the rear driver’s side seat, suffered third-degree burns to her left leg, while Davis was burned on his face and hands.

She told deputies she believed Davis intended to “burn her up” inside the vehicle, an account that police verified as “accurately depicted” after checking the store’s CCTV footage, as per the outlet.

Both were first treated at Broward General Hospital before being transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital because of the severity of their burns. Deputies said Davis was under the influence of alcohol at the time, Local 10 reported.

Davis made his first court appearance on Monday, June 6, in a wheelchair, and the judge denied him bond, according to the outlet.

Sun Sentinel reported that Davis is charged with premeditated attempted murder, arson causing bodily harm, and criminal attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit a capital felony.

The accused is currently being held at Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale, and has not entered a plea.