PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lightning strikes 3 in Florida, including man on beach
Three people were struck by lightning in Central Florida within hours — two on a golf course and one at New Smyrna Beach during a wedding celebration. The 29-year-old man hit on the beach remains in critical condition, with officials saying the lightning came from a storm miles away. Florida continues to lead the nation in lightning-related deaths, with nearly 500 fatalities recorded since 1960.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A Colorado man hit by lightning while standing in the ocean at New Smyrna Beach last week has died, according to the Volusia County Beach Safety Patrol. Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the man and his wife were in Florida on their honeymoon.
The backstory:
Jake Rosencranz,29, was standing in ankle-deep water at New Smyrna Beach on Friday afternoon when he was struck. Beach Safety Patrol personnel immediately began CPR at the scene. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
PREVIOUS STORY: Man struck by lightning at New Smyrna Beach, officials say
On Monday, Tamra Malphurs, Director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, confirmed that the man died of his injuries.
According to the FOX 35 Storm Team, heavy showers and thunderstorms were moving across Central Florida on Friday when the incident happened. Around 12:30 p.m., a powerful storm cell developed over New Smyrna Beach, with over 170 lightning strikes recorded by FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar.
One of the strikes occurred just off the coast near 27th Avenue.
The New Smyrna Beach Fire Department confirmed two others were indirectly struck by lightning at the Venetian Bay golf course. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
What they’re saying:
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood previously said in a Facebook post that the couple were in town on their honeymoon.
“Saying a prayer for this young man and his wife. They were visiting our beaches to celebrate their marriage. In one terrifying second everything changed. My heart goes out to them tonight. I also want to thank everyone who worked so quickly to render aid and get him to the hospital for a fighting chance,” the post read.
Common myths about lightning, debunked
As summer storms roll through, myths and misconceptions about lightning persist. Here’s what experts — including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) — say is fact or fiction when it comes to lightning safety.
Lightning capitol of the U.S.
Dig deeper:
Florida is often known as the “lightning capitol” of the United States. The Sunshine State experiences more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state.
Florida averages about 1.2 million lightning strikes each year, according to the Florida Department of Health. Each bolt of lightning contains 1 billion volts of electricity and can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC. However, the odds of being struck are less than 1 in a million, and nearly 90% of people struck by lightning survive, the CDC reports.
According to the National Weather Service, there have been at least 3 lightning-related deaths in 2025: North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Tamra Malphurs, Director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, on June 23, 2025.
