VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fl. — A motorcyclist died Sunday afternoon after he was struck by lightning on Interstate 95 in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the incident occurred just before 3 p.m. on I-95 southbound near mile marker 271.
The man, 45, was struck by lightning and crashed after leaving the roadway, troopers said.
An FHP spokesperson said the lightning struck the man's helmet and shattered it.
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Troopers said an off-duty Virginia State trooper witnessed the lightning strike.
The accident caused a traffic back-up as troopers investigated the death.
Direct lightning strikes are rare.
Since 2006, there have been 10 lightning fatalities related to motorcycles, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
These included:
- 2006 #18
- 2007 #14
- 2009 #2 and #33
- 2011 #16
- 2013 #17
- 2014 #4
- 2015 #5 and #23
- 2016 #17
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