Honeymoon Turns Tragic as Man Killed by Lightning Strike in Florida

A young man’s honeymoon vacation ended in tragedy when he was struck and killed by lightning on a Florida beach.

The incident occurred at New Smyrna Beach, where 29-year-old Jake Rosencranz from Colorado was standing ankle-deep in the ocean during a storm on Friday afternoon. Despite the clear appearance of the sky, a lightning bolt struck him, leading to critical injuries.

Rescue teams quickly responded, and Rosencranz was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries Saturday morning. Authorities confirmed he was on his honeymoon at the time.

Officials explained that the storm was still miles away from the beach, making the lightning strike a rare and unexpected event. Witnesses described the weather as blue skies, with the storm seemingly distant.

City officials also reported that two other individuals, who were golfing at Venetian Bay Golf Course, were “indirectly struck” by lightning but did not require hospital treatment.

Florida is known for its intense lightning activity, with the state experiencing about 1.2 million strikes annually. This incident marks the first lightning-related death in Florida in 2025.

So far this year, at least three people have died due to lightning in the U.S., including incidents in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas.