Ethan Lawrence : “New Father Killed by Lightning Strike: A Family Mourns”

A heartbreaking incident has left a Florida family in mourning as they grapple with the sudden and tragic loss of 19-year-old Ethan Lawrence, a college student and new father, who was fatally struck by lightning while out for a run in a local park.

The devastating event took place on a Sunday morning at Vista View Park, where Ethan was pursuing his passion for running. Davie Fire Rescue confirmed the unfortunate news, leaving his mother, Lourdes Lawrence, shattered by the unexpected death of her beloved son.

In her grief, Lourdes expressed, “He was my pride and joy, and I cannot believe I’m gonna continue this life without him.”

A student at Nova Southeastern University, Ethan had earned a dean’s scholarship and aspired to join the university’s cross country team, hence his regular conditioning runs.

Reflecting on her son’s tragic end, Lourdes shared, “We don’t understand why, but the only thing that gives me comfort is he died doing what he loved.”

Months prior to his untimely passing, Ethan faced an unexpected turn of events when he learned that his girlfriend, Andrea Lares, was expecting a child. Despite the surprise, he embraced fatherhood with love and grace.

Their daughter, Emara, was welcomed into the world on December 11.

Still reeling from the shock of losing her daughter’s father, Lares expressed, “I am still trying to process all of it because of how it happened in a matter of seconds. He texted me in the morning, ‘Good morning, love, I woke up late today.’”

The day Ethan set out for his fatal run, the weather was drizzling, prompting concern from his mother. Hours later, as his location remained unchanged, Lourdes dispatched her husband, Patrick Lawrence, to the park to locate their son.

Recalling the heartbreaking moment, Patrick shared, “The detectives came over to my car and told me, ‘I don’t know if there is any easy way to say this at all, so I’m just going to tell you that unfortunately, your son was running, he was struck by lightning and he didn’t make it.”

As Ethan was struck by lightning, a physical jolt ran through Lourdes, leaving her stunned and in disbelief.

“Around that time, I was upstairs, and I felt a very sharp pain in my chest,” she recounted. “I said to myself, ‘Am I having a heart attack? What is going on?’ Then, I said to myself, ‘He’s gone. Why my son? Why?’”

Seeking closure and answers, Ethan’s family visited the park the following day, guided by a sense of connection with their departed loved one. Lourdes felt compelled to search for the cross Ethan had on him at the time of his passing.

“We went to the site, and Ethan led me to where he was struck. I saw the hole on the ground, looked down and my husband said, ‘Look, his cross,’” she recounted. “That’s him telling me, ‘Mom, I’m OK. You be OK.’”

Despite the profound loss, Lourdes finds solace in the fact that Ethan’s legacy lives on through their daughter.

“Now, he left us a piece of his DNA to continue. He was smitten with her,” she shared. “I’m so grateful and thankful that I had 19 beautiful years with my son.”

Determined to preserve her son’s memory, Lourdes vows to ensure that everyone recognizes Ethan as the remarkable individual and kind-hearted soul he was.

Florida stands as the lightning capital of the United States, with an average of 10 fatalities and 40 injuries from lightning strikes annually within the state.