Lightning Strikes SUV While Driving

On May 7th, 2000, my '98 Toyota 4Runner was struck by lightning while I was filming. The lightning strike instantly vaporized the two-meter HAM radio antenna on my truck, bursting the antenna cable in several places and filling the interior of the truck with smoke. Fearing a fire inside the truck, and unsure whether I could touch the door of the truck without being electrocuted, I felt trapped and panicked. But, after a $4,000 repair bill for the truck, I survived without a scratch. In fact, I'm living proof that you are safe inside of your vehicle during a thunderstorm.

A video of the damage done to the truck can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STkJGgGpA6U

A slowed-down version of the actual strike can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgkfC8z21lA

Some information and pictures of me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonperson/sets

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• lightning
• strike
• strikes
• 1998
• toyota
• 4runner
• bridgeport
• nebraska
• storm
• chasing
• thunderstorm
• thunder
• may
• 7th
• 2000
• home video

[thunderwolf2012]

lol and lmfao that horn made the whole vid

[jperson2007]

I know lol. That cracks me up now. I should edit the video to make it sound like I'm also changing radio stations while honking the horn.

[bmwman87]

"OMG OMG horn horn horn horn OMG"

other cars just think he got cracy after his car got hit by lightning lol but i undrstand he was surprised, i had did the same with my car :D

[vfIskullangel]

@vixvixen88 LMAO! It does! all he needs is the cougar in the back seat :D

[22pharaoh22]

Did you fill out lottery after that? :)

[hondakid182]

You got a good shot lol

[603506147]

cute psycho driver :-D

[Jadekay78]

Would have frightened the life out of me too, man!!

[roxon1366]

When you hear "thunder" you're actually hearing the air molecules slamming back into each other because the lightning actually drives them apart. When lightning is close enough to you, or in this guys case, ON YOU, you won't hear it because more or less you're apart of it.

[bwo68]

Lightning shorted out the interior lighting on my 97 ford taurus when it got hit

[sciontcdude]

@bmwman87 reason he did the honking of the horn is to alert those in front of him to stop

[cooleo0]

i know i should feel bad but the way hes screaming is hilarious

[djjennyfey]

Are you aware that this video is used in defensive driving classes? I just got a ticket last month and had to enroll in a Texas defensive driving class. This video is in the program.