A truck driver recently met an unfortunate fate when he was struck and killed by lightning — marking this as the first fatal incident of its kind this year.
Peter Garamone, a 41-year-old father from Pennsylvania, was outside a Kwik Trip gas station in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, trying to get to his car late Wednesday. Witnesses described the lightning strike as “the loudest” they had ever heard, according to CBS58.
Transporting supplies in Wisconsin, Garamone managed to call 911 to report that he had been hit, but sadly, he was pronounced dead later at a hospital.
A dispatcher indicated they believed the caller had been struck by lightning, as heard in audio obtained by CBS58.
Meanwhile, bystanders also called 911, reporting feelings of disorientation after the strike, and police confirmed that evidence at the scene suggested it was indeed caused by lightning.
When help arrived, Garamone was unresponsive. He was quickly taken to the hospital, but it was too late.
Beau Snowden, a local resident, shared his experience of feeling the bolt pass through his house, emphasizing how dangerously loud the thunder was. “We have to be careful with this storm. It’s really dangerous,” he said.
Peter is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their son, Peter Jr.
In a heartbreaking turn, just a week before this tragedy, her father, Jim, had passed away after completing treatment for esophageal cancer.
“I keep hoping that I’ll wake up and realize it’s just a bad dream, but I know it’s not,” Jim posted on Facebook, mourning the loss of his son. He reflected on the importance of cherishing loved ones.
Peter Garamone’s death stands out as the first officially recorded lightning fatality of the year, although an official cause of death hasn’t been determined yet, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
Last year, there were 21 recorded fatalities due to lightning strikes. It’s worth noting that the odds of dying from such an incident are about 1 in 1.5 million, with around 90% of those struck surviving.
