Man in Highland Township survives lightning strike

He credits heavy boots with saving his life

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. – An employee at a Highland Township car dealership was struck by lightning, but was able to return to work the next day.

There were storms in the area Monday when Chris Maloney went outside from the LaFontaine GMC dealership to get to a vehicle.

He was holding an umbrella in one hand and car keys in the other when he dashed through the rain. He admitted having a strange thought.

"It was crazy. I as thinking right before it happened, like, man, wouldn't it be nuts if it just struck right here," Maloney said.

He  was dodging puddles when the lightning hit.

"The lightning struck right in front of me. It felt like a spike was going through me and I could feel it on a certain part of my body and I felt it all on my left side and my hand," Maloney said.

The current from the lightning conducted through the ground and water up into Maloney's body, knocking him down.

"When I got struck, I kind of panicked, hoping nothing bad would happen because my daughter's on the way and I'm thinking, I hope nothing bad happens to me. I don't want her to be raised without a father."

Maloney thinks a last-minute decision saved him from a much more serious injury.

He put on boots with thick rubber soles.

"I was running late that day and I put on my old pair. I just slipped them on and came to work and got lucky," Maloney said.

Maloney managed to walk back inside he dealership, where a co-worker took him to see a doctor.

It turned out he had no serious injuries and returned to work the next day.


About the Author:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism