A heartbreaking incident unfolded at an electric vehicle charging station in October when 17-year-old Caleb Ortiz was electrocuted while attempting to remove a battery from the unit. The event occurred around 2 a.m., when Caleb allegedly arrived with a saw and began trying to dismantle the charging equipment.
Investigators say he came into contact with a high-voltage section of the system during the attempted theft. The electric current — estimated at roughly 220 volts — caused fatal injuries. Because the station was deserted at that hour, Caleb was not found until early the next day. Emergency crews were called immediately, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later noted that Caleb had previous run-ins with law enforcement, including an earlier arrest related to vehicle theft, though he had been released due to being underage.
After the tragedy, Caleb’s mother filed a $65 million lawsuit against Voltage Energy, the company operating the charging site. She claims the company failed to provide sufficient safety protections and should have taken extra measures to prevent accidental exposure to dangerous electrical components.
Voltage Energy’s attorneys rejected the allegations, stating the charging station met all national safety guidelines and was equipped with proper warnings and built-in safeguards to prevent the public from reaching high-voltage areas. They emphasized that the equipment was never intended to be opened or tampered with by unauthorized individuals.
The case has ignited widespread discussion about safety responsibilities, infrastructure standards, and where accountability lies as EV charging stations become more common across the country.
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