Celebration, Florida, Man Dies in Possible Lightning Strike

A 20-year-old Michigan man died after being found unresponsive on a walking path in Celebration, Florida, with authorities investigating a possible lightning strike as the cause. Matthew Eric Jenkins was discovered near Bloom Street on the evening of September 8, 2026, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to the scene at approximately 6:25 p.m. after bystanders reported finding Jenkins unresponsive. Witnesses said lightning was reported in the area before deputies arrived. Jenkins was transported to AdventHealth Celebration, where he was pronounced dead. Jenkins had moved from Shelby Township, Michigan, to central Florida the previous week to begin the Disney College Program, according to his father. Authorities have not confirmed whether the incident occurred on Disney property or during a program-related activity. Bystanders, including witness Felipe Costa, attempted to perform CPR on Jenkins after finding him on the ground. Costa said he ran toward the location after hearing a lightning strike. "As soon as I heard that, I started running and I came over here where it happened," he told a local news outlet. "That's when I saw the man.