This image made from video provided by Thomas Marcum shows a tornado seen from State Highway 48 in Durant, Okla., Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Thomas Marcum via AP)AP
You’ve probably seen the video by now.
The one where a red Chevrolet Silverado gets tossed and turned in a tornado near Rio Rancho, Texas before flipping over and finally landing upright, allowing the driver to flee the storm.
It’s wild footage that captured plenty of eyeballs when posted to social media on Monday. Evidently, that includes the Detroit-based company that made the truck.
Chevrolet, together with Bruce Lowrie Chevrolet of Fort Worth, Texas, said Thursday that it is donating a 2022 cherry red Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT All Star Edition to Riley Leon, the 16-year-old behind the wheel, after he survived a powerful tornado while driving in his Silverado.
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“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,” a statement posted to social media reads.
Leon was taken to the hospital on Thursday and was discovered to have fractures in his back, according to KXAN-TV in Austin. His truck was also totaled despite escaping the storm.
A GoFundMe has been created to help Leon’s family with some of the medical costs.
Chevrolet is also donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by the storms.
The new truck will be presented to Leon and his family at the Texas dealership on Saturday.
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