GoFundMe Set Up For Family Of Motorcyclist Killed By Lightning

CHARLOTTE, NC — A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help the family of a Charlotte man killed Sunday afternoon while driving a motorcycle in Florida when he was struck by lightning.

Benjamin Austin Lee, 45, was hit by the lightning on Interstate 95 near Daytona Beach. A witness to the incident told authorities they saw a bolt of lightning hit the 45-year-old man's helmet, WBTV reported. The helmet shattered and the motorcycle ran off the interstate.

“With his unexpected passing, Austin leaves behind a loving family,” said the GoFundMe page. “They are all incredible individuals who deserve the very best care, love, and support in order to get through this devastating time.”

RELATED: Charlotte Man Killed By Lightning While Driving His Motorcycle

The incident happened around 3 p.m. as the man was driving along I-95 at mile marker 271.
The accident caused a traffic disruption along the interstate, with some drivers stuck in traffic for more than an hour, WKMG in Orlando reported. "We saw the lightning strike but never did think that someone got struck," driver Queen Gibbs told the station. "It's horrific."

“He was a generous, kind, hard-working man that had an infectious personality and was just someone that you couldn’t help but want to be around!,” said Kimberly Schultz on the GoFundMe campaign page. “Austin’s passing is tragic, not only for his loss of life but also for the devastating effects on his family.”

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.