Motorcyclist Dies After Lightning Strike

WESTMINSTER, Colo. -- A 46-year-old man on a motorcycle was struck by lightning and killed Wednesday evening while riding in rush hour traffic on the Boulder Turnpike.

Witnesses said they saw a flash of light just before the yellow motorcycle crashed into the center concrete divider.

Gary Missi, of Longmont, was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown if Missi was killed by the lightning strike or by the crash that followed, authorities said. An autopsy is pending.

However, Missi's bike was not badly damaged and he had injuries consistent with a lightning strike, Westminster police said. Missi was wearing a helmet.

"We get some crazy things, but 'Wow,'" said Westminster police spokesman Tim Read.

Missi's motorcycle came to rest about 150 yards from where lightning blasted an 18-by-8-inch crater, 4-inches deep that blew chunks of asphalt across the highway and slightly damaged other vehicles.

Authorities say it's incredible that no one else was hurt.

"Five o'clock, rush hour traffic on Highway 36 westbound -- that no one else was struck, hurt or anything is just amazing," Read said.

State officials said that there were more than 2,000 lightning strikes recorded in the state on Wednesday. Witnesses said that the lightning came out of nowhere.

U.S. Highway 36 was shut down to one lane in each direction for about two hours between Sheridan Boulevard and Church Ranch Boulevard while the accident was investigated and debris was cleared from the highway.

Road crews repaired the punctured roadway after the investigation was complete.