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.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Silverado news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Nicely done by Chevrolet. Heard the kid was on his way home from a job interview. Good for him.
I think it was a whataburger, or another fast food franchise. They gave him the job I think they said. Seemed like a nice kid.
awesome that he is okay and Chevy has stepped up with a new Red Silverado !!!
He is going to wish they gave him one like he had a cat-eye that shifted right and had lifters that lifted.
Exactly, he should have talked them into ok giving him a 2500 with the L8T 6.6 and the 6L90e at least it wouldn’t have AFM and the annoying 8 or 10spd trans that are troublesome.
That old truck is his lucky charm…treasure it!
Had an angel riding on his shoulder!
I don’t know if his grandfather is still alive if not he’s watching over him that Is his grandfather’s old truck
I’m glad the kid survived, but is that what it takes to get a new truck these days?
I could use a new vehicle. We did get snow last night, hmmm, no not dramatic enough.
Lol
Lets give Chevrolet credit for doing the right thing. When I first saw that video on the news, I told my wife that Chevy was going to love the press coverage. I hope Riley drives the banged up truck to the dealer to get his new truck.u
So, DAY8, would you prefer that GM would NOT give the kid a new truck nor donate to the Red Cross?
perfect time to bring back bob segers like a rock commercial
I’m glad he’s alive and think Chevy did the right thing!
GM should take the damaged truck and put it on display at SEMA, along with a big screen backdrop of the tornado video. It would be an awesome killer attraction ( no pun intended ), and show the safety features of this pickup. It would be a Big Wow display.
GM DID THE RIGHT THING
SOME PEOPLE ON THIS SIGHT JUST WANT TO CRITICIZE GM NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO
Well Ford it took an act of god to get that Chevy off the road what’s your excuse.