Miami-Dade deputy struck by lightning while sitting inside patrol vehicle

MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — An off-duty Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy is out of the hospital after lightning struck his patrol vehicle while he was sitting inside Thursday.

The deputy was working an off-duty assignment outside Miami-Dade Fire Rescue headquarters in Doral when a storm moved through the area.

A dispatcher called for help, reporting the vehicle had possibly been struck and the deputy was not feeling well.

See also: South Florida family devastated after mother, 2-year-old daughter killed by lightning

He was taken to a nearby hospital, where fellow first responders later showed up to support him.

WSVN spoke with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson Erika Benitez, who said Florida is the lightning capital of the country and urged people to get inside when storms approach.

“The safest place is inside a building or a fully-enclosed hardtop vehicle,” Benitez said.

Her warning comes after a charter captain was struck by lightning while boating in the Keys last month and a mother and daughter were killed by lightning in Margate days later.

Officials say if you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning — and should get inside immediately.