Colorado Man Killed by Lightning Strike While on Florida Honeymoon

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A Colorado man was killed Friday after being struck by lightning while standing in ankle-deep water during his honeymoon on the Florida coast, according to Volusia County officials.

The victim, identified by WKMG as 29-year-old Jake Rosencranz, was near the shoreline shortly before 12:30 p.m. when he was struck, despite clear skies overhead. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Rosencranz was visiting the area on a delayed honeymoon with his wife.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood shared condolences in a social media post following the tragedy.

“So sorry for the tragic loss of a young man here on a delayed honeymoon with his wife,” Chitwood wrote. “At 29 years old, he should have had many more anniversaries with her for years to come. Sending sincere condolences to this young woman on behalf of all of us in Volusia County who were hoping against hope that the diligent efforts of our lifeguards, EMS team and ER staff would bring him back to her.”

Beach Safety officials described the incident as a rare "blue sky lightning strike," meaning the bolt originated from a storm cell several miles away. According to the National Weather Service, lightning can strike as far as 20 miles from a thunderstorm.

Witness Pepper Pyle told WESH, “It was clear blue sky, and the storm was like miles away from us.”

In a separate lightning-related incident the same day, two individuals at the Venetian Bay Golf Course in New Smyrna Beach were indirectly struck while golfing. Neither required hospitalization, officials said.

Authorities urge beachgoers and outdoor recreationists to take lightning threats seriously, even when skies appear clear, and to monitor weather updates closely.