The Mystery of the Oviedo Lights

Posted: 02.18.2025 | Updated: 02.18.2025

When you mention the “Oviedo Lights” in Florida, you likely get one of two reactions. Some will wave you off, saying there’s a scientific explanation for the phenomenon. Many, however, will say there’s something unearthly about the disembodied lights that can be seen in Chuluota.

To experience the more sinister side of St. Augustine after dark, book a ghost tour with Old City Ghosts tonight. 

What Are the Oviedo Lights?

The Oviedo Lights is a strange phenomenon that only takes place along one street: Snow Hill Road, which is just north of Chuluota, Florida.

Throughout the year, after midnight, a bright light will randomly shoot down the road. Witnesses say you could mistake it as a car’s headlights from a distance, but there is only one solid mass of light. 

Those who have seen the light say it’s so bright that it can blind you and takes on a bluish hue as you get closer to it. Some even say the light gets so hot that it can burn you if you’re close enough. People would chase the light along the road, only to see it consistently disappear as it crossed the Econlockhatchee River bridge. 

The light has been seen for decades, with an article about the lights in a local newspaper from 1969. So, what causes these lights to show up in this specific area year after year? There are quite a few theories.

The Macabre Origins of the Oviedo Lights

First, let’s look at the darker origin stories behind the floating lights. From a lost cub scout to a clawed-to-death teenager, there are plenty of theories to choose from. 

The Frightened Cub Scout

One of the most accepted theories about who is behind the Oviedo Lights dates back to a story about a lost cub scout. During a troop camping trip, the little boy wandered off from the group with his lantern. 

The boy was never seen again, and people believe the light is his ghost trying to find his way back to his friends. 

The Reckless Teen

Another common story behind the lights stems from a teenager who decided to play chicken with a car. Needless to say, the young person lost and was killed. Some believe their soul has never been able to rest after their foolish game, and they’re bound to the stretch of road where they died. 

The Drowned Teens

Another theory has to do with two young men who were out enjoying a joyride. Somehow, the teens crashed their car into the water underneath the Econlockhatchee River bridge. They were trapped in the car and unable to escape, drowning in the river. 

Since their lives ended at the bridge, this is why some believe the Oviedo Lights disappear as soon as it crosses that section of road. 

The Mauled Teen

It seems a lot of teenagers went missing back in the day in Eastern Florida. This story involves a young couple who were out driving when their car ran out of gas. 

The boy left to find some fuel while his girlfriend waited in the car. The girl waited all night, staying put until sunrise. Then, she left to try to find her boyfriend. 

After searching for a while, she finally found him — or his body at least. The boy had deep scratch marks all along his body. Police never identified what exactly killed him, and legend goes that his spirit may be intertwined with another unearthly being roaming the area along the road. 

Norbert Hyman

While many of the myths behind the Oviedo Lights don’t have identities, there is one documented death of a teen on the road in the ‘60s. 

Norbert Hyman, a 17-year-old, was shooting off fireworks with four of his friends on July 16, 1963. They were on a dirt road near the Econ River Bridge. 

One of Hyman’s friends, Richard Pearson, ran ahead to grab the car while the other four began walking. For some reason, perhaps afraid of getting in trouble for shooting off the fireworks, Pearson decided to drive in the direction of his friends with the headlights off. 

By this point, the group had reached Snow Hill Road and were walking along it. With just a moment’s notice, the teens heard the unilluminated car speeding toward them. Three jumped out of the way in time, while Hyman did not. 

Many think there was something nefarious at play, as Pearson chose to drop off his friends at their homes before taking Hyman to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. Pearson was charged with manslaughter, but the charges were later dropped. 

Some believe that Hyman’s spirit remains attached to the road where he met his tragic end.

The Scientific Theory 

For those who refuse to believe that something extraordinary may be at play, they point to what’s known as “swamp gas.” 

Swamp gas, also called swamp ghost lights or will-o’-the-wisps, occurs when organic materials break down in swampy areas. When this happens, gases like methane and phosphine are released. These gases also happen to be very flammable, and some believe they can self-ignite when they meet oxygen. 

One of the problems with the swamp gas theory is that, while there would be a bright ball of light/flame, it would quickly disappear. It wouldn’t travel along the road and always disappear at the same bridge. 

There’s also a problem with the idea of the gas self-igniting. Scientists have looked into this idea and haven’t been able to prove that methane or any other gas created in this environment can combust on its own. 

Because of these reasons, many Floridians dispute this claim of swamp gas, saying there’s something bigger at play. 

The Consequences of Getting Too Close to the Oviedo Lights

Back in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, teens would often hang around Snow Hill Road. In fact, it was a popular activity to do for a first date and try to get a glimpse of the lights. 

As the adolescents would flock to the area, some would get too close to the Oviedo Lights, later desperately regretting their decision. 

The Headless Boyfriend

The most gruesome tale has to be the young couple who happened upon the light one night. The girl was found unconscious inside the vehicle, uninjured. Her boyfriend, however, was not so lucky. His head was burned off his body — and found on the hood of the car. 

The Blinded Teen

A young woman was driving along Snow Hill Road when the light came out of nowhere, blinding her. Unable to see the road, she panicked — careening off the pavement and hitting a tree. She died upon impact. 

The Burned Girl 

Another unlucky girl was outside her car when the light started moving toward her. Terrified, she turned and ran toward her car. While the girl survived the experience, she had severe burns down her back. 

Haunted St. Augustine

The strange Oviedo Lights continue to amaze and scare the local community. Yet, this is only one of many unexplainable events and shadows that haunt the surrounding cities.

From bewitched hotels to haunted forts, there’s always a fascinating ghost story to stumble upon when exploring St. Augustine.

If you want to learn about some of the most haunted sites in St. Augustine and see them firsthand, reach out to Old City Ghosts for a ghost tour you’ll never forget. 

Want to learn about other eerie phenomena throughout the U.S.? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to hear about other strange happenings. To read more about the Florida ghosts and ghouls, check out our blog. 

Sources:

• https://nypost.com/2024/11/11/us-news/floridas-unexplained-ghost-lights-have-been-haunting-unsuspecting-drivers-for-6-decades-historian/
• https://orlandohaunts.com/
• https://floridahistoryblog.com/oviedo-ghost-lights/
• https://www.ripleys.com/stories/the-oviedo-lights
• https://www.clickorlando.com/features/2024/10/01/ghost-lights-reported-on-this-central-florida-road-have-you-seen-them/