Ethan Lawrence : “Tragic Lightning Strike Kills New Dad”

DAVIE, Fla. (WSVN) – The Lawrence family in Florida is reeling from the heartbreaking loss of their beloved 19-year-old son, Ethan Lawrence, who tragically lost his life in a lightning strike while out for a run at Vista View Park.

The devastating incident took place on a Sunday morning, with Davie Fire Rescue confirming Ethan’s passing. His mother, Lourdes Lawrence, expressed her profound grief at the sudden loss of her son.

“He was my pride and joy, and I cannot believe I’m gonna continue this life without him,” she said, struggling to come to terms with the unimaginable reality.

Ethan Lawrence, a student at Nova Southeastern University on a dean’s scholarship, had dreams of participating in cross country running. He was in the midst of conditioning when the tragic incident occurred.

“We don’t understand why, but the only thing that gives me comfort is he died doing what he loved,” his mother shared, trying to find solace in the midst of her overwhelming grief.

The young man’s life took an unexpected turn when he learned that his girlfriend, Andrea Lares, was expecting a child. Despite the surprise, Ethan embraced fatherhood with love and grace, according to his mother.

Their daughter, Emara, entered the world on December 11, bringing joy and hope even in the face of tragedy.

Lares, still grappling with the shock of losing the father of her child, recalled their last interaction.

“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,’” she recounted, holding onto the memories of their final moments together.

On the fateful day, as Ethan set out for his run despite the drizzle, little did his family know it would be their last moments with him. Concerned when his location remained unchanged, Lourdes Lawrence sent her husband, Patrick Lawrence, to search for their son at the park.

“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,” Patrick Lawrence recounted, reliving the heart-wrenching moment.

As Ethan was struck by lightning, his mother felt a physical jolt, a moment of inexplicable connection with her son.

“Around that time, I was upstairs, and I felt a very sharp pain in my chest,” she described. “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, hoping to find some semblance of peace. His mother felt guided by her son to discover the cross he carried with him at the time of the tragedy.

“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.’”

In the midst of their grief, the family finds solace in the fact that a part of Ethan lives on in his daughter, Emara.

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

Determined to honour her son’s memory, Ethan’s mother is committed to ensuring that his legacy as an exceptional individual and kind soul is known to all.

Florida, known as the lightning capital of the United States, sees an average of 10 fatalities and 40 injuries from lightning strikes annually.