A dashcam video captured a lightning bolt striking Interstate 84 near the mouth of Weber Canyon in Utah, apparently just feet from a moving truck. The incident occurred at about 9 p.m. local time Tuesday during a thunderstorm. Motorist Tucker Ralphs recorded the event while commuting home. Weather officials confirmed that lightning struck the side of the freeway in the area.
| 1) | The near miss on Interstate 84 |
| 2) | Dashcam footage records the strike |
| 3) | Weather officials confirm the thunderstorm |
| 4) | Lightning risks for motorists and the public |
| 5) | Why the video drew attention |
The near miss on Interstate 84
A moving truck was traveling on Interstate 84 near the mouth of Weber Canyon on Tuesday night when lightning struck the edge of the freeway. The truck was not reported to have been hit, and the bolt appeared to land only a short distance from the vehicle. The location, where the interstate passes through the canyon area, placed the truck and nearby motorists directly in the path of the storm. The video shows how quickly a lightning strike can occur around highway traffic during severe weather.
Dashcam footage records the strike
Tucker Ralphs recorded the scene from his vehicle while driving home. His dashcam captured a sudden, bright flash beside the truck ahead, followed immediately by the apparent strike along the freeway. Ralphs described the sound as unusually intense and said the flash disappeared almost instantly.
“Lightning struck the edge of the freeway feet from a truck just ahead of me. It was louder than you can imagine, with a very sharp ‘crack’ and ‘boom.’ Super bright, then gone in an instant.”
The footage provides a close view of the event from a moving vehicle, although it does not show the truck suffering damage or coming to a stop.
Weather officials confirm the thunderstorm
The National Weather Service confirmed that a thunderstorm was affecting the area when the footage was recorded. Agency data placed a lightning strike on the side of the freeway at approximately 9 p.m. local time Tuesday. That confirmation links the visible flash in the dashcam recording to a documented weather event. The storm conditions explain why lightning was present along the interstate and why drivers encountered a sudden hazard while traveling through Weber Canyon.
Lightning risks for motorists and the public
Lightning can be fatal for people outdoors and can create dangerous conditions for drivers, pedestrians and highway workers. The National Weather Service estimates that lightning kills about 20 to 30 people in the United States each year. The Utah incident did not result in a reported injury, but its proximity to the truck illustrates the limited warning available when a bolt develops near a roadway. During thunderstorms, motorists should remain in enclosed vehicles when possible and avoid stopping in exposed areas.
Why the video drew attention
The recording attracted attention because it shows a lightning strike occurring within feet of a moving commercial vehicle rather than at a distant location. The combination of the bright flash, the close distance and the sharp sound made the event especially striking. It also offered a visual example of the risks associated with driving through an active thunderstorm. While the truck and driver were not reported to have been harmed, the footage underscores how quickly ordinary travel can become dangerous during severe weather.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lightning struck Interstate 84 near Weber Canyon. |
| 2 | The bolt appeared to miss a moving truck by only a few feet. |
| 3 | The strike occurred at about 9 p.m. during a confirmed thunderstorm. |
| 4 | No injuries or vehicle damage were reported in connection with the incident. |
Summary
The Utah dashcam recording documents a close lightning strike beside a moving truck on Interstate 84. Weather service data confirmed the strike and the thunderstorm conditions at the time. Although no harm was reported, the event demonstrates the danger lightning can pose to people traveling through exposed areas during severe weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the lightning strike occur?
The strike occurred on the side of Interstate 84 near the mouth of Weber Canyon in Utah.
When was the incident recorded?
The dashcam recorded the event at about 9 p.m. local time Tuesday, during a thunderstorm.
Was anyone injured?
No injuries or damage to the moving truck were reported in connection with the lightning strike.
