During a powerful thunderstorm in Texas last week, a truck was struck by lightning, an event that was captured on video. The footage, taken by Austin Garland on July 25 while driving on Highway 59 between Wharton and El Campo, shows heavy rain and frequent lightning strikes. Suddenly, a bright bolt hits the front of Garland’s truck, accompanied by a loud thump, leaving him visibly shocked as he reacts with surprise.
Garland described the storm as the most intense lightning event he had ever witnessed, noting that the lightning not only struck his vehicle but also caused chunks of the road to break apart. While many believe that a car’s rubber tires protect occupants from lightning, experts explain that it is actually the metal frame of the vehicle that provides safety. The lightning follows the metal shell around the car and into the ground, keeping passengers safe. However, the vehicle itself often suffers damage, with electronics likely to be destroyed and tires possibly exploding due to the electrical surge.