A 20-year-old Michigan man died Tuesday evening after he was found unresponsive in Celebration, Florida, following an apparent lightning strike, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the man as Matthew Eric Jenkins from Shelby Township, Michigan. Jenkins had only recently moved to Central Florida. His father told WESH 2 that he had moved to the area just last week to participate in the Disney College Program.
Deputies responded to the incident at about 6:25 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, after receiving a report of an unresponsive man on a walking path behind a hotel in the 700 block of Bloom Street, near downtown Celebration.
A thunderstorm was moving through the area when the incident occurred, with lightning present in the vicinity, according to investigators.
People nearby had taken shelter from the rain when they saw Jenkins collapse after witnessing a lightning strike. A bystander began CPR as emergency responders made their way to the scene.
Jenkins was transported to AdventHealth Celebration, where he was pronounced dead.
The sheriff’s office said investigators are waiting for the medical examiner to determine the exact cause of death.
Florida frequently experiences thunderstorms, particularly during the summer months, making lightning a serious safety concern. Officials recommend seeking shelter indoors when thunderstorms approach and staying inside until the threat of lightning has passed.
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