PEWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- As we face more storms Monday night, we continue covering the devastating effects of a storm from two weeks ago. Peter Paul Garamone Sr. died after being struck by lightning in Pewaukee on April 14. He was a truck driver from Pennsylvania, walking through a Kwik Trip parking lot when lightning hit.

Lisa Cox

Garamone Sr.'s death marks the first fatal lightning strike in the United States of 2026. On average, about 20 people die from lightning each year, according to the National Weather Service. Cox said that's part of the reason it's hard to believe this is real.

"It's such a small amount that it's not something that crosses your mind when you have someone that's on the road all the time. That's not what you think, you know, could possibly happen. I was always worried about him driving but not lightning. And it's just so scary to know that that can take someone that's so loved away that fast."

Lisa and Pete had just celebrated their eight-year anniversary one week before he died. Lisa says he'd been a truck driver for about seven years and was doing so to help his family and his 7-year-old son.

She explained, "He was a great guy. He just wanted to work and provide for his family." Music and concerts were a big part of their relationship, said Lisa, which is something she hopes to show her son as he gets older.

As Lisa plans Pete's funeral, she warns others to take severe weather seriously.

"If there's a storm, it's not worth it. Just don't get out of your, you know, vehicle. Get someplace safe. You can lose someone at any second," she said.

The Waukesha County Medical Examiner said Monday they are still determining Garamone Sr.'s cause of death. 

His service will be on Sunday. A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with expenses. 

Lisa Cox