Members of the Iglesia Bautista Maranatha, located in Lakeland, FL, united for the first time this Sunday after a deadly lightning strike left dozens hospitalized and another dead.
According to a Bay News 9 report, the strike happened just outside the church on Viola Road in Lakeland, FL, killing 30-year-old Benjamin Gonzalez of Lakeland, FL. According to his family, Gonzalez was born in Texas, and moved to the Tampa Bay Area while in middle school. He graduated from Lake Gibson High School and then attended technical school. He worked in the IT department for Circle K convenience stores.
According to Pastor Jose Angel Gonzalez, his brother Benjamin Gonzalez was a kind man to everyone who died doing what he loved most. At the time of the strike, Gonzalez was playing soccer while hanging out with his church friends. Juan, another one of Benjamin Gonzalez's brother, was with Benjamin when he was struck and killed. "It was a clear day," Gonzalez said. "It wasn't raining at the time, and they were just having fun."
"They heard the lightning when it hit, and obviously they were playing soccer and they were close together. When it hit, several hit the ground, and he turned around and saw my brother," Gonzalez said. "That's when he dropped to a knee and clutched his chest and he fell over." Attempts to resuscitate Benjamin failed.
The Polk County Sherriff's office reported that 18 other people were taken to the hospital, but have since been released.
This tragedy appears to be nothing but a freakish act of nature. Nonetheless, as a personal injury attorney practicing in Polk County, FL, many questions come to mind. Was this an organized event? How was responsible for overseeing the players? Was anyone aware of the lightning and the potential for harm? Answers to these questions could reveal whether a potential negligence claim exists. It is a lawyer's job to look beyond the surface for the benefit of the client.
