A preliminary investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed the two Waycross teens who died July 10 were struck by lightning while trying to seek shelter during a severe thunderstorm.
The GBI released its initial findings Tuesday, July 15 for the incident that claimed the lives of Joey Brandon Nelson, Jr., 18, and Randall Martin III, 19. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Pooler will complete autopsies to deter mine the final cause and manner of death of the 2025 Ware County High School graduates, each of whom was a member of the Gators football team.
The preliminary report indicated Nelson and Martin were fishing in the area of Lejuene Road and Alton Circle when they were overtaken by a severe thunderstorm. The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning about 6:30 p.m. July 10, and storms continued until around midnight.
As Nelson and Martin were returning to their car, they were struck by lightning, the report said.
Nelson
Martin
The vehicle also appeared to be struck by lightning, authorities said.
Ware County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded just after 10 p.m. to a 911 call at Lejuene Road near Alton Circle in reference to two young adult men who were unresponsive, WCSO said.
Family members had arrived there to find the two men on the ground and unresponsive, and called 911.
The family attempted life-saving measures before WCSO and Ware EMS personnel arrived, authorities said.
The deputies and EMS personnel followed with their unsuccessful efforts, and the teens were pronounced dead at the scene.
Memorial services for Nelson and Martin were held last weekend.
The investigation is still active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103 or the Ware County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 2874326.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
