HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Some Hillsborough County motorists — including a sheriff’s deputy — recently got quite a scare while traveling on Interstate 75 during an afternoon thunderstorm.
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On July 1 around 4 p.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said one of its deputies was driving northbound on I-75 near Sun City Center when she heard a loud clap of thunder.
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According to the deputy, the dashboard lights illuminated before her cruiser shut down.
Glancing in her rearview mirror, she noticed smoke and figured her tire had popped.
She was able to pull over and soon realized that was not the case.
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In the intense storm, other drivers had pulled off the road as well.
She realized through another motorist’s cellphone video that the damage to her car was caused by an incredible lightning strike.
LIGHTNING STRIKE CAUGHT ON VIDEO: On Friday, this lightning strike was so close to a #teamHCSO deputy driving on I-75, that it fried her work car!
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) July 6, 2022
Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Let this be a reminder, in a thunderstorm seek shelter. A house, business, or vehicle can save a life. pic.twitter.com/PileMcOCpe
HCSO said that a passenger in the car behind her was coincidentally recording at the exact moment of the fiery strike.
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No one was hurt, according to sheriff’s officials.
Now, HCSO has this important reminder: “When you hear thunder, make sure you seek shelter; being inside your home, a business, or even your vehicle can save a life!”
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