Ford Offers Upgrade to US Marine’s Damaged Raptor with F-150 Raptor R

Tyler Vargas-Andrews’s 2023 F-150 Rear-Ended by 2017 Nissan Murano on Virginia Interstate.

Ford recognized a United States Marine Corps Sergeant by presenting them with a new 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R as a result of a severe accident on a highway in Virginia.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Tyler Vargas-Andrews, a former marine who is now 26 years old, was given a replacement vehicle after his nearly new Ford F-150 Raptor was hit from behind by a speeding 2017 Nissan Murano while he and his wife were traveling at a speed of 75 mph. The driver of the Nissan suffered minor injuries and has been charged with reckless driving.

Vargas-Andrews recently took to Instagram, thanking a truck for saving his life. Ford took notice of the post and reached out to him.On his Instagram page, Vargas-Andrews revealed the incredible story of how a truck came to his rescue and possibly saved his life. Ford saw his post and made contact with him to express their appreciation for the truck’s role in such a life-changing moment.

The former Marine received a special invitation to visit the Dearborn Truck factory where the large pickup truck is manufactured. Throughout his trip, he had the opportunity to interact with workers and high-level executives such as Bill Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford, and CEO Jim Farley.

The Instagram account of Tyler Vargas-Andrews, known as @whistlingdeath, has been gaining popularity among its followers. His posts have gathered a lot of buzz on the platform and many are eager to know more about him.Tyler Vargas-Andrews is making quite a name for himself on Instagram with his handle @whistlingdeath. His content has generated a great deal of interest among his followers and there is a growing curiosity surrounding his persona.

After years of being a loyal patron of Ford, Vargas-Andrews found himself deployed on a mission in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, during his time there, he fell victim to a tragic suicide bombing in Kabul, resulting in the loss of his right arm and left leg in 2021. As a way to reward himself for his bravery and resilience, he decided to treat himself with the purchase of a 2023 F-150 Raptor. This special truck came at a steep price, costing just over six figures (factoring in additional fees on top of the $77,980 initial cost).

As stated by the Blue Oval corporation, the replacement has been enhanced to an even more intense edition at a grand total of $113,770 (which includes a $31,575 add-on package). The upgraded 2024 release proudly showcases a significant boost in horsepower, now reaching 720 from its 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. Furthermore, aftermarket alterations will be incorporated into the fresh pickup, such as a lift for wheelchair accessibility or special adjustments to vehicle controls, just like the previous Raptor.

The highly anticipated 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R successor has not yet been produced. However, according to Ford, the vehicle will soon be delivered to Vargas-Andrews’ nearest dealership in Virginia.

“I suppose I should begin by expressing my gratitude to all of you who have been accompanying and encouraging me on my personal journey in the past few years. I want to acknowledge and appreciate all the tags and mentions of different entities associated with [Ford], they did not go unnoticed. You all showed up and so did they,” Vargas-Andrews shared in an Instagram post.

Other car manufacturers, including General Motors and Dodge, also extend their support to military veterans. In fact, Jeep has taken it a step further by introducing a special discount for the US military through their Freedom Package, which is available on models such as the Wrangler.