WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN — A Pennsylvania truck driver lost his life after lightning struck him while walking across a truck stop parking lot during a severe thunderstorm Wednesday night in Waukesha.
The incident happened around 7:45 p.m. at the Kwik Trip near Golf Road and Grandview Boulevard. Authorities said the 41-year-old driver was crossing the parking lot when a lightning strike hit the area.
Driver Struck During Peak of Storm
Waukesha Police responded after receiving reports of a man down in the parking lot. Callers told dispatchers the man was on the ground and not breathing, with some believing he had been struck by lightning.
Witnesses described a blinding flash followed by a loud crack of thunder before the driver collapsed. Emergency crews arrived and found the man unresponsive. They transported him to a hospital, where he later died.
Police said physical evidence at the scene and witness statements aligned with a lightning strike. The victim carried a Pennsylvania driver’s license, and authorities believe he was not from Wisconsin.
Rare but Deadly Incident
Lightning data from the time of the storm shows limited activity despite the fatal strike. Experts said only seven cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were recorded in the area between 7 and 8 p.m.
Lightning specialist Chris Vagasky said the odds of being struck remain low, but the consequences can be severe. He noted that about 20 people die each year from lightning strikes nationwide and that roughly 90% of those struck survive, often with lasting injuries.
This marks Wisconsin’s second lightning-related fatality in the past seven months and one of only a few recorded in the state over the last decade.
Investigation and Safety Reminder
Waukesha Police continue working with the Medical Examiner to confirm the victim’s identity and determine the official cause and manner of death.
Officials urge the public to take storms seriously and seek shelter when thunder is heard. Safety experts advise waiting at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before returning outdoors.
Kwik Trip issued a statement expressing condolences to the victim’s family, calling the incident a tragic event.
The storm system that moved through southeastern Wisconsin also brought flash flooding, tornado damage, and hail, creating hazardous conditions across the region.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
