Authorities say Antonia Mendoza Chavez, 52, and her two dogs were killed by lightning on Wednesday morning. Paramedics and police were called to the Rimbank and Mines Avenue area near the San Gabriel River around 8:50 a.m. Pico Rivera city manager Steve Carmona said Chavez was found dead on the trail with her two dogs. She was apparently struck by lightning as the storms were moving in Southern California in the morning. The eyewitness spoke to Gloria Kolozzo, who said she was the owner of Chavez. He told ABC7 that Chavez walked this path every morning. Colocho shared footage from her Nest camera showing what she claims Chavez is walking her dogs on Wednesday morning. “I called her and texted her and she did not answer and the message was not given on her cell phone,” Colocho said. “I called her and she went straight to the answering machine and from there I felt it was her. I checked my camera … she left around 7:30 am and I see her with her two dogs and she left the house and she has not returned at all ». The city warned residents in the area to stay inside until the storm passes. “We all have to be careful with this activity in the area,” Carmona said. “We want everyone to be careful. There is a lot of instability in the air. Just be careful and do your best to stay indoors right now.” RELATED: Thunder and lightning strike as storm sweeps SoCal Lightning deaths are very rare in California. There have been only nine deaths in the state since 2006, and this was the first this year. The nation as a whole is seeing about six lightning deaths by June 22 in an average of one year. The news of the tragedy was worrying for the residents of the area. “I’m afraid,” said Mary Perez, who lives in the area. “I told my granddaughter and her friend, she does not go to school on foot, I take her. I think more about lightning. Not that I never thought about it. I did not think she could really do that. It ‘s just awful.” Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
