Venice Beach lightning-strike victim to be remembered on 1-year anniversary

VENICE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Monday marks the one-year anniversary of a deadly lightning strike at Venice Beach that killed a 20-year-old man.

Firefighters said a bolt of lightning hit the water, and the electrical current then traveled, hitting swimmers and surfers in and out of the water near the 3500 block of Ocean Front Walk.

Nick Fagnano was pulled from the water after the lightning strike, given CPR and transported to Marina Del Rey Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

He had been enjoying the afternoon at the beach with his friends. No one ever imagined a sudden storm and a bolt of lightning would end his life.

"They were up near the volleyball courts and he said, 'I'm just gonna run in and rinse off, I'll be right back,'" said Fagnano's dad, Jay Fagnano. "That's when it happened, right when he ran in to rinse off."

Through the tragic loss of their only son, Fagnano's parents formed a relationship with the lifeguards who were on scene the day he died.

"We know that they've changed all of their policies and procedures because of what happened to Nick last year," Jay Fagnano said.

In the year since his death, Fagnano's parents say they've relied on their faith to carry on.

"His spirit was so big that so many people, and we ourselves, feel his presence in a lot of different ways," said Fagnano's mom, Mary Fagnano.

Fagnano graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, where he played baseball. After attending Santa Barbara City College, he was accepted to the University of Southern California as a junior transfer studying policy, planning and development.

"His goals truly embodied the mission of the Price School to improve the quality of life for people and their communities. He left a lasting impression on all who came in contact with him at the Price School, and his presence will be greatly missed," USC Sol Price School of Public Policy Dean Jack Knott said.

With the help of the USC Price School of Public Policy, his parents started a memorial scholarship that's now on its way to becoming an endowment.

"Nick's memory will forever be there at that school and will forever be contributing to the work that they do," Mary Fagnano said.

Two special tributes are planned Monday at the Venice Beach volleyball courts - one at 2:30 p.m., marking the approximate time lightning struck last year, and another at sunset.

PHOTOS: Lightning strikes Venice Beach