Whitewater Fire and EMS Press Release

***UPDATE 7/31/2026***

RELEASE PREPARED BY: Assistant Chief Ryan Dion

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT: AC Ryan Dion; rdion@whitewater-wi.gov

INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal Lightning Strike, Incident Number 26001258

LOCATION: 400 Block of South Elizabeth Street, City of Whitewater

DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: 07/27/2026; 9:56 am

INJURIES: 1 Fatality

INCIDENT NARRATIVE: Update regarding the Whitewater Fire & EMS response to fatal lightning strike. The victim of the fatal lightning strike that occurred in the City of Whitewater on 7/27/2026 has been identified as 31-year-old Rodrigo Barrera Arreola of West Virginia. It should be noted that Whitewater Fire Department originally listed the victim’s age as 29 based on information received on scene at the time of the incident.

No further releases are planned for this incident.

//AC Ryan Dion//