VERMILION, Ohio -- There is heartbreak in Vermilion tonight, where a teen boy died while trying to conduct a science experiment in his parents’ garage.
Those who knew 15-year old Morgan Wojciechowski described him Wednesday as something of a “whiz kid” who gave his community something to be proud of.
The student at Vermilion High School died around 6 p.m. Tuesday while trying to create a so-called Jacob’s Ladder, a high-voltage arc between two metal rods.
The image has been popularized in science-fictions films.
“And it was supposed to complete a circuit and create an arc and I believe that was all the experiment was for,” said Detective Robert Rieger with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
He said the directions came off YouTube and that Wojciechowski was electrocuted.
“This was not a school assignment,” Detective Rieger said. “This was simply something he saw on the internet and wanted to experiment with.”
Earlier today, the district released a statement which read in part, “We would like the greater community to know that we are brokenhearted about this tragic loss to our school community. Morgan was a vibrant student and athlete who was well liked at Vermillion High School.”
“And was very smart,” Detective Rieger added.
Rieger said he believes the teen’s family had been aware of the experiments, was perhaps even proud of them, and that this marks the first time the department has encountered a person trying to make a Jacob’s Ladder.