A Nick Perry video discusses a case where a 17-year-old named Caleb attempted to steal a battery from an EV charging station on October 17 (~2am), was electrocuted by a 220-volt shock, and later died. Caleb’s mother sued the charging operator, Voltage Energy, winning $6.5 million; the speakers debate causes including parental and system failures versus corporate liability.
Questions this video answers
$6.5 million
October 17
Around 2am
220 volts
Under 17 (a minor)
Foreign.
Tried to steal a battery from an EV charging station in the middle of the night and was electrocuted. His mom sued the operator, Voltage Energy and won $6.5 million. It wasn't Caleb's first run in with the law. He'd been picked up for a car theft before. But because he was under 17, police let him off with a warrant. Around 2am on October 17, he showed up with a saw and tried to pull the battery. A 220 volt jolt shot through his body causing severe burns. No one was around at that hour, so found until morning. After a 911 call. Doctors pronounced him dead. In court, Caleb's mother argued Voltage failed to guard against accidental contact and that's what led to her son's death.
Look, this is a tough one because as a father I can't even imagine losing a child. That aside, let's talk about the real issue here because this shit matters. This tragedy happened because of a series of parenting failures, justice system failures and the kids own choices. Blaming the charging company is like blaming Mercedes when a hijacker cuts his hand on glass while breaking into the car. The engineers didn't these tools to be theft friendly. They designed them to be functional.
