The family of an 11-year-old man who died in Texas is suing the power company Entergy and the network operator Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for more than $ 100 million, citing gross negligence over the boy’s death. Cristian Pavon died Tuesday after an icy night at his family’s garage in Conroe, Texas.
The house had been without power since the previous Sunday.
As KHOU, a subsidiary of CBS in Houston, reports, Pavon claims he died of hypothermia. A cause of death has yet to be revealed by medical investigators.
The family is represented by attorney Tony Buzbee. CBS News released for comment.
Maria Elisa Pineda Guzman, mother of Pavon, said the family slept in one room to stay warm. “He fell asleep. He was wearing a shirt, a sweater, two pants, socks,” Pavon’s aunt, Jaliza Yera, told K’HOU. His stepfather checked on him later that evening and put another blanket over him.
The family tried to wake Pavon on Tuesday afternoon, but he did not respond. The family told KHOU that they tried to call 911 but were waiting for a Spanish operator.
KHOU obtained statements from Entergy and ERCOT on the matter. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in our community. We are unable to comment due to the pending lawsuit,” Entergy replied.
ERCOT issued a statement saying it had yet to review the case. “[We] will respond accordingly when we do. We think of all Texans who have been or are suffering this past week. ‘
“However, because about 46% of privately owned generators have stumbled offline this past Monday morning, we are confident that our network operators have made the right choice to avoid a blackout in the country,” ERCOT said.