Crime & Safety
MA Native Killed By Lightning On FL Beach 'Lived A Life Of Adventure'
The 29-year-old man was fatally struck by lightning while on his honeymoon in New Smyrna Beach.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL — A Massachusetts native who was fatally struck by lightning while on his honeymoon in New Smyrna Beach "lived a life of adventure" and was known by friends and family for his kind heart and eagerness to make others happy.
Jake Rosencranz, 29, was in ankle-deep water when he was hit by lightning Friday. He was brought to the hospital in critical condition and died Saturday morning.
"At 29 years old, he should have had many more anniversaries with (his wife) for years to come,” Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said in a Facebook post.
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According to his obituary, Rosencranz and his wife, Leah, lived in Denver. He was born in Weston and developed an appreciation for nature at a young age.
Rosencranz worked in the commercial construction industry after college and served multiple years as a general contractor. He was most recently a project manager with Behm Consulting Group in Denver.
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"Jake will be remembered for his amazing smile, charming personality, infectious laugh, kind heart and constant eagerness to make people happy," his obituary stated. "He was a truly remarkable husband, brother, son and friend. Jake's legacy will be carried on every day, forever."
Read Rosencranz's full obituary. A GoFundMe has also been established to help his family with medical bills and other expenses.
Rosencranz's death was one of several lightning-strike injuries across Florida recently.
In a separate incident on last week, two people were struck by lightning while golfing at the Venetian Bay golf course, News 6 said.
On Saturday afternoon, four women on a girls’ trip to Marco Island were knocked unconscious after being hit by lightning while standing under a tiki hut to avoid the storm, WFLX said.
One person was injured Monday afternoon when lightning hit a group under a cabana in Holmes Beach, Fox Weather said.
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