Owner Of Chevy Silverado Flipped In Tornado Gets Brand-New Truck
In case you missed it, a new viral video is circulating the Internet this week showing the harrowing experience of a Chevy Silverado driver that survived a tornado after his truck was flipped onto its side by high winds. Now, General Motors has announced that the owner of that Chevy Silverado will receive a brand-new truck.
GM tracked down the driver of the Chevy Silverado, identified as 16-year-old Texas-resident Riley Leon. In a post to social media, GM announced that Leon would receive a 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT All Star Edition, as donated by GM in partnership with Bruce Lowrie Chevrolet of Fort Worth, Texas.
The new truck is finished in Cherry Red, and will be handed over tomorrow, March 26th.
“We are thankful Riley is safe, commend his driving skills during a frightening situation, and our hearts are with other families in Texas that have been affected by these storms.”
In addition to giving Leon a brand-new pickup, GM also announced that Chevy Cares will donate a further $50,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help support recovery efforts in the region.
In the viral video, which was captured by storm chaser and photojournalist Brian Emfinger, Leon’s red Chevy Silverado is seen caught by the tornado, which shoves the pickup onto its side, then spins it like a top on the pavement. The truck is then flipped back onto its wheels, allowing Leon to escape.
Luckily, Leon was mostly unhurt, suffering only minor cuts and bruising. However, although the Chevy Silverado is still drivable, follow-up reports show the truck with significant body damage, including deep scratches in the body panels, missing sideview mirrors, and more.
Severe weather ripped through several southern states this week, with reports of at least five dead and more than 1,300 homes damaged or destroyed. Tornadoes were reported in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.
SOURCE: GM AUTHORITY