A motorcyclist died Sunday afternoon after he was struck by lightning while riding on I-95 in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said Benjamin Austin Lee, 45, of North Carolina, was struck by lightning just before 3 p.m. while riding on I-95 south near mile marker 270. Lee then veered off the road and was ejected from the motorcycle, FHP said.
FHP officials said lightning struck Lee's helmet, shattering it.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — TRENDING NOW:
- Man with cocaine on nose tells deputies it's not his, officials say
- Burger King worker caught on video using mop to clean table
- Man dies while trying to rescue grandson from rough water at Florida beach
- Universal Studios worker comforts child with autism in midst of meltdown
Troopers said an off-duty Virginia State trooper witnessed the incident.
The crash remains under investigation.
According to John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council, there have been 10 lightning fatalities related to motorcycles since 2006. In several of those cases, he said the riders were not on the bikes when they were struck.
Download the WFTV weather app | Hour-by-hour in your city
This is what’s left of a 45 year old man’s helmet after he was struck by lightning, while riding his motorcycle southbound, on I-95 in Volusia County this afternoon. Unfortunately he did not survive the crash. pic.twitter.com/uFklUPY8r1
— FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) June 9, 2019
DOWNLOAD: Free WFTV News & Weather Apps
Not near a TV? Click here to watch WFTV newscasts live
Cox Media Group
