Just days before Christmas, a local couple in Bismarck received a gift they’ll never forget — a fully restored Chevy Traverse, handed over with care by the team at Abra Auto Body and Buller Automotive.
As part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program, the vehicle was donated to Tyler and Alexa Bachmeier, a deserving couple nominated by their family through New Song Church in Bismarck. The Traverse, originally involved in an accident, was purchased and donated by Farmers Insurance and then repaired by the expert team at Abra Auto Body.
Tyler, who experienced a medical emergency while driving earlier in the year, crashed and totaled the family’s only vehicle. “Somehow, I made it all the way to Myhre Elementary before I crashed the car,” he recalled. “I think there was actually somebody in the community who used their vehicle to stop me from hitting more people. I never found out who that was. Whoever it is, if you’re watching this, thank you.”
For Alexa, the surprise brought a deep sense of gratitude. “It’s like I’m walking on air,” she said. “Like this whole time, like my whole life, I’ve been just driving cars that barely even worked — breaking down on me. I just didn’t know when they were going to stop working. To get this car is incredible.”
This marks Abra Bismarck’s seventh Recycled Rides giveaway, and the first time Abra Bismarck and Abra Mandan teamed up for a holiday handoff. The entire team came together to bring holiday cheer and help a local family regain reliable transportation right when they needed it most.
🎥 Watch the moment unfold in this video from the Bismarck Tribune:
National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides Program in Bismarck (Video)
At Buller Automotive, community involvement is more than just a seasonal effort — it’s part of who we are. We’re proud to work with programs like Recycled Rides and are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this special moment happen.