Son of murdered woman receives free car to reunite family in Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (KABC) -- A young man attempting to keep his family together after his father allegedly murdered his mother received a helping hand Thursday.

On his birthday, 20-year-old Nigel Hensley received the keys to a 2008 Nissan Altima thanks to Caliber Collision in Pomona.

Hensley hopes the car will help him with his ultimate goal of reuniting his family after his father allegedly set his mother on fire, killing her.

MORE: Pomona man charged with murder after allegedly setting woman on fire

"It means a lot to me to just be able to get around. Not only that, but to be there for my family and try to make my mom proud by furthering my education and just trying to take care of business," Hensley said.

It was Christmas Day that Hensley's mother died. Since then, Hensley and his older sister have been trying to gain custody of their two younger siblings who were in foster care.

Without a car, it's been tough for him to travel to mandatory court dates and appointments.

Caliber Collision heard about Hensley's situation and decided to donate a refurbished car as part of its Recycled Rides program.

"This is really going to get this person back into a car where they can actually drive down the road and be safe driving it," Mike Roth with Caliber Collision in Pomona said.

Hensley said having a car will make things much easier while he carries a full workload.

"Right now, I am trying to do anything possible, whether it is in school, another job, parenting classes, youth sports," Hensley said. "I am doing everything and anything to be with my brothers."

The car wasn't the only gift the Hensley family received. In the trunk, there was something for everyone including car insurance for six months.

"Just to be together, that's the best gift I could possibly have. This car is just unbelievable. I just want to thank everybody," Hensley said.

Hensley said his first trip in the car would be to play basketball at the park with his brothers.