(July 2, 2008)

BEEVILLE--A family in Beeville is in mourning tonight after loved one is killed in a bizarre accident. An 18-year-old man winds up being electricuted along with several family pets.

The Beeville teenager was helping an older family friend with some chores around the house when authorities said he was accidentally electrocuted and died.

This Beeville home was the scene of accidental electrocution death of 18-year-old Eliott Lewis on Tuesday morning.

"We're still in the shock mode," said Danya Bridge, Lewis' brother. "He was only 18. This is something nobody ever expected to happen."

They also said three dogs were killed in the accident. It happened as Lewis tried to move this sheet metal near this fence at the home of Lydia Garcia.

"I heard him yelling ah, ah," said Garcia. "He did it two times. Then I came to him and said what happened. He didn't answer me."

Authorities believe some shoddy electrical work done on the house recently is to blame for this electrocution.

"He placed the tin piece of metal against the wall, which there was an exposed wire, which cut the insulation and I guess conducted the electricity," said Sheriff Carlos Carrizales of the Bee County Sheriff's Department. 

Garcia still can't believe what happened a day later.

"Real bad," Garcia said. "I mean who would not feel bad when something thing happened on your property. It hurts."

Authorities have turned off the utilities until Garcia can get the electrical work fixed. All the Lewis family can do now is get ready for his funeral.

"He was really a caring person," Bridge said. "If you need his help, he was there to help."

His funeral is set for Thursday

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News mdelarosa@kiiitv.com