Family Escapes Unharmed as Lightning Strikes Car on Illinois Highway
EAST MARION, Ill. — Imagine you’re driving along a highway, maybe chatting with your family or listening to the radio, when BAM!—a sound like a gunshot rocks your car, and suddenly, smoke is everywhere.
That’s exactly what happened to a family of three in southern Illinois on April 5, 2025, when a bolt of lightning struck their Ford Edge SUV.
The incident took place around 5:42 p.m. on the eastbound lane of Illinois Route 13 near Illinois Route 166, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
The family, shaken but unharmed, described the strike as sounding like a “loud gunshot.”
Smoke quickly filled the vehicle, forcing them to pull over and get out as fast as they could.
“We thought we’d been shot or something,” one family member reportedly told deputies. “It was like something out of a movie—terrifying.”
A Stormy Day in Illinois
That Saturday wasn’t just any day in southern Illinois.
The region was under siege from severe weather, with multiple flash flood warnings and road closures due to heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service had issued alerts for potential lightning strikes, and Mother Nature delivered in a big way.
The family was simply trying to navigate through the storm when lightning found their SUV.
Deputies from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and firefighters from the Williamson County Fire Department rushed to the scene.
They found the family standing outside their damaged vehicle, which had taken a direct hit.
The lightning strike disabled the car’s electrical system, blew apart the rear bumper and exhaust system, and left a visible hole in the roof.
Debris from the explosion was scattered across the highway, creating a chaotic scene.
Sheriff Jeff Diederich described the incident as a stark reminder of nature’s power.
“This family was incredibly lucky to walk away without a scratch,” he said. “It’s not every day you see a car take a direct lightning hit like that.”
The Science Behind the Strike
So, how does a lightning strike do so much damage to a car but leave the people inside unharmed? It’s all about the physics of a Faraday cage.
Most cars with metal roofs and bodies act like a Faraday cage, meaning the electrical charge from a lightning bolt travels around the outside of the vehicle and into the ground, bypassing the occupants inside.
“It’s not the rubber tires that protect you, despite what some folks think,” says John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council.
“It’s the metal shell of the car that does the job.” Texas Department of Insurance
But while the family was safe, their Ford Edge wasn’t so lucky. Lightning strikes can cause a range of damage to vehicles, including:
- Melted antennas: The intense heat can partially melt metal components.
- Fried electrical systems: The surge can destroy computer chips and wiring.
- Shattered windows: Defrosting wires in rear windshields can cause glass to break.
- Blown-out tires: Steel-belted tires can explode under the heat.
- Potential fires: In severe cases, lightning can ignite a vehicle.
In this case, the Ford Edge suffered a disabled electrical system, a blown-out rear bumper and exhaust, and a hole in the roof.
“The car was basically toast,” said a deputy at the scene. The vehicle was towed away, likely headed for an insurance claim.
| Damage Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | Completely disabled, affecting computer chips and wiring. |
| Rear Bumper/Exhaust | Exploded due to the strike, scattering debris across the highway. |
| Roof | Visible hole caused by the lightning’s intense energy. |
| Tires | Potential damage to steel-belted tires, though not specifically reported here. |
| Windows | Possible shattering, especially rear windshield with defrosting wires. |
Can Lightning Get Inside a Car?
One question that often comes up is whether lightning can actually get inside a car.
The short answer? It’s highly unlikely. The Faraday cage effect means the electrical charge stays on the exterior of the vehicle.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of danger.
If you touch metal surfaces inside the car—like door handles, the steering wheel, or the gear shift—you could get shocked if the charge hasn’t fully dissipated.
“Every lightning strike is different,” explains the National Weather Service.
“The heat from a strike can cause small explosions of sparks as metal fragments melt and burn.” National Weather Service This explains the “gunshot” sound the family heard and the smoke that filled their SUV.
In rare cases, lightning can cause indirect damage inside the vehicle by frying electrical components or starting a fire.
Fortunately, this family’s car didn’t ignite, but the smoke they experienced was likely from burning wires or other components.
What to Do If Your Car Is Struck
If you ever find yourself in a car that’s struck by lightning, here’s what experts recommend:
- Pull over safely: Get to the side of the road, away from traffic.
- Turn on hazard lights: Alert other drivers to your situation.
- Turn off the engine: Prevent further electrical issues.
- Stay inside: Remain in the car for at least 30 minutes after the strike or until the storm passes, as lightning can strike the same spot multiple times.
- Avoid metal: Keep your hands in your lap and don’t touch metal surfaces like door handles or the steering wheel.
- Call for help: If you need assistance, contact emergency services or roadside assistance.
“Stay calm and wait it out,” advises Toyota of Clermont. “You might want to hurry home, but the best action is no action until the storm resolves itself.” Toyota of Clermont
And here’s a pro tip: car insurance typically covers lightning strike damage, so document everything—take photos of burn marks, shattered glass, or melted components—and file a claim promptly. Got Injured
Lightning Strikes: Not So Rare
While this incident might sound like a freak accident, lightning strikes on vehicles happen more often than you’d think.
Globally, millions of cars are struck each year, though the odds of it happening to you are about 1 in 100,000.
Areas like southern Illinois, with frequent thunderstorms, are particularly prone to these events.
Florida, known as the lightning capital of the U.S., sees even more strikes, especially around Orlando. Toyota of Orlando
The Midwest, however, isn’t far behind. Spring and summer storms in Illinois often bring intense lightning, and April 5, 2025, was no exception.
The severe weather that day, with flash floods and road closures, set the stage for this dramatic incident.
A Lucky Escape
For the family in the Ford Edge, this was a day they’ll never forget.
“We’re just grateful everyone is okay,” one family member said.
Their story is a powerful reminder of how unpredictable nature can be—and how important it is to stay prepared.
Whether it’s pulling over during a storm or knowing what to do if lightning strikes, a little knowledge can go a long way.
So, next time you’re driving through a thunderstorm, keep an eye on the sky. You never know when Mother Nature might decide to put on a show.
