Man struck by lightning is a fighter, family says

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The wife of a 29-year-old man who was struck by lightning in St. Augustine says he is a fighter.

Luke Shimer was struck Tuesday while talking on his cellphone on his balcony.

Kerry Shimer said her husband is the toughest man she knows.

Luke Shimer spent six years in the Army, including two deployments, one of them to Afghanistan.

Family members said his heart stopped beating after he was struck by lightning, but started beating again when he got to the hospital. Luke Shimer is in a coma, but doctors have detected brain activity.

"He has brain activity, which is obviously tremendous news when we got it and a blessing,” said Shane Sinnott, the victim’s father-in-law. “The issue right now is they don't know the extent of any damage to his brain from the swelling."

His family said they know he can beat this.

“He's just so strong right now, and if anyone can get through this, it's him,” Kerry Shimer said.

A GoFundMe page for him has raised more than $8,000.

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