Even though many car buyers and car dealers near Santa Ana usually expect their superheroes to wear a cape, drive an elaborate vehicle (similar to the batmobile) and have some supernatural power such as creating spider webs or flying through the air there are exceptions. One such exception the car dealers near Santa Ana can think of used to drive a 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Unfortunately, it was wrecked during a deadly crash involving more than 100 vehicles on Interstate 35 (I-35) in February. For his priceless efforts helping other people involved in the crash, Trey McDaniel now drives a new 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.
Trey McDaniel: Texas Pileup Survivor Turned Hero
Trey McDaniel, who is a paramedic, was driving to Fort Worth, Texas, to administer shots in a COVID-19 vaccination clinic. While crossing I-35 on the chilly day of February 11, 2021, a patch of black ice caused his FJ Cruiser to lose traction and slide. Although he only lightly hit the car on the front, his SUV was violently slammed into by an 18-wheeler from behind.
The car dealers near Santa Ana inform us that after the accident happened, it took a few moments for Trey McDaniel to manage to recollect himself and crawl out the window of what was very apparently a now wrecked FJ Cruiser. After he got himself out, the scene in front of him was so unbelievable, that car buyers near Santa Ana auto dealers can only describe it as something that you only see in movies. In front of him was a pileup of more than 100 cars and dozens of people injured and crying out to be rescued.
Fortunately, Trey is a trained and working paramedic, so when he realized what was going on he jumped into medical mode right away. Obviously, after going through his own ordeal and now faced with helping numerous others, car dealers near Santa Ana say Trey was starting to feel an adrenaline rush as he first communicated with emergency crews arriving at the pileup scene. Also, he helped with the rescue tasks and did what he could to keep survivors calm.
Trey Rescued Others But Toyota North America Rescued Trey
Even though Trey McDaniel was very grateful that he survived the crash and was able to help other survivors, he was really upset about the loss of his silver FJ Cruiser. He was so attached to his SUV and not because it was his only means of commuting on a daily basis, but it was because he felt as though he lost a friend. In fact, he shared his experience on the Reddit community, under the username treyman780, saying that his Toyota saved his life.
Toyota heard through the grapevine of the post and applauded Trey for his heroic acts. The Japanese carmaker said that since he is part of the Toyota family, he doesn’t have to be concerned about replacing it since a new one would be on its way shortly to him.
Trey’s New Ride: A 2021 4Runner TRD Pro
Because the FJ Cruiser is no longer on sale, Toyota was more than happy to provide a more suitable replacement which was a new 2021 4Runner TRD Pro in Lunar Rock finish. Trey picked the 4Runner TRD Pro up in late February at Texas Toyota of Grapevine, where he used to be a sales associate before becoming a paramedic.
For 2021, Toyota decided to offer four TRD Pro models which are the Sequoia TRD Pro and 4Runner TRD Pro SUVs, as well as the Tacoma TRD Pro and Tundra TRD Pro pickups. Every Toyota TRD Pro has been manufactured to offer distinct off-road styling while delivering amazing capabilities when off the beaten track. All models feature TRD-tuned off-road suspension, as already tested in different off-road races.
But Toyota didn’t stop there, they spiced things up even further with the 2021 model year by introducing an extraterrestrial color for the 2021 TRD Pro models – Lunar Rock. In all likelihood, the color was inspired by the moon, and this new hue has replaced the Army Green finish that was available in the previous year.
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV available in nine trim levels: SR5, Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, Limited, Limited Nightshade, and TRD Pro.
Each 4Runner is equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 (270 horsepower, 278 pound-feet of torque) and five-speed automatic transmission. The SR5, Trail Special Edition, and Limited trims are available with two-wheel drive and seating for up to seven passengers. The remaining trim levels seat five and are only available in four-wheel drive.
Also, Every 4Runner also comes with the following safety features:
- Adaptive cruise control (keeps a driver-set distance between the 4Runner and the car in front)
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an approaching collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle starts to drift out of its lane)
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro comes with heaps of creature comforts to keep you and your occupants happy while you are on the road. Here is a list of what you can find:
- LED headlights
- 17-inch wheels
- Roof rails
- Power rear window
- Power-adjustable front seats
- 40/20/40-split reclining and folding second-row seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 120-volt power outlet in the rear cargo area
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Simulated leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Keyless ignition and entry
- Optional sunroof
- Additional drive settings for off-roading
- Locking rear differential (helps with maximizing traction off-road)
- Optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that can improve wheel articulation when off-roading
Trey McDaniel was lucky he was driving a Toyota vehicle that faithful day he got into that serious accident. Some may even say he is extra lucky that he also got a brand new 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro for free from Toyota itself after this whole ordeal!