Houston, Texas — A lawsuit filed by the family of an 18-year-old man who died after being electrocuted at an electric vehicle charging station has been dismissed, with a judge ruling that the charging company was not responsible for his death.
The incident occurred late at night at an EV charging station operated by Volt Edge Energy. Surveillance footage shows Darius Johnson, 18, approaching the station and attempting to steal copper wiring from one of the charging cables. Investigators say Johnson intended to sell the copper for cash.
According to the footage, Johnson began cutting through the cable insulation when a powerful electrical surge passed through his body, briefly illuminating the surrounding area. He collapsed to the ground immediately after the shock.
Johnson’s body was not discovered until the following morning, when a janitor arrived at the site and contacted authorities. Police and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. A coroner’s report later confirmed that Johnson died from cardiac arrest caused by a high-voltage electric shock.
Several days after the incident, Johnson’s family filed a $3 million lawsuit against Volt Edge Energy, alleging that the company failed to implement adequate safety measures at the charging station and should be held liable for his death.
After reviewing the case, the judge dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the charging station operator had met all reasonable safety requirements. The ruling emphasized that Johnson was knowingly engaged in illegal activity and that his actions directly led to the fatal outcome.
In addition to dismissing the claim, the court ordered Johnson’s family to pay $30,000 in damages to cover the cost of the destroyed charging equipment.
The case has sparked debate online about personal responsibility, corporate safety obligations, and the risks associated with vandalizing electrical infrastructure.
Do you believe the judge’s decision was fair?
