TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — An Arizona Department of Public Safety vehicle defied one-in-a-million odds over the weekend, getting struck by lightning on I-10 eastbound, driving toward Phoenix.
The Dodge Durango was carrying three AZDPS detectives at the time of the strike. The Dodge Durango SUV suffered a "fried electrical system" as a result, with two small holes on the driver's side roof.
The detectives themselves, however, reported experiencing only "a shock and experienced tingling sensations" but no serious injuries.
UNLUCKY STRIKE⚡️ Three of our on-duty detectives had a scare over the weekend when their SUV was struck by lightning as they drove east on I-10 towards Phoenix. They initially felt a shock & experienced tingling sensations, but we're glad to report none were seriously injured. pic.twitter.com/GU2MXIaRHI
— Dept. of Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) August 17, 2022
Always seek safety indoors during a lightning and thunderstorm. If you happen to be on the road, the National Weather Service says "the outer metal shell of hard-topped metal vehicles does provide protection to those inside a vehicle with the windows closed."
According to the CDC, almost 90% of lightning strike victims survive. Those statistics do vary by region, however: Arizona is grouped among states with the highest number of lightning-related deaths and injuries in the last 15 years, but falls short of Florida, dubbed the "lightning capital" of the U.S.
Florida has had over 2000 lighting injuries over the past 50 years. NWS has reported 13 lightning fatalities so far in 2022, none of which have occurred in Arizona.
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Anne Simmons is the digital executive producer for KGUN 9. Anne got her start in television while still a student at the University of Arizona. Before joining KGUN, she managed multiple public access television stations in the Bay Area and has worked as a video producer in the non-profit sector. Share your story ideas and important issues with Anne by emailing anne.simmons@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
