The promise of fast cash lured a Detroit man into the world of illegal scrapping. He got pretty good, making hundreds of dollars for a few hours work.
His specialty was DTE Energy wiring. That was the big money, but his greed almost got him killed.
Gerald Chapman is an easy going man with big laugh and bright smile. The Detroit man appreciates each and every day, but he knows he is lucky to be alive.
In the night hours of July 26th, 2011, Chapman left his house, with a ladder and a pair of bolt cutters. He set off to make some money by targeting some DTE wire.
Only the wire was energized and when Chapman touched it, he got zapped and fell an estimated twenty feet to the ground below.
Click on the video player to watch Ronnie Dahl’s exclusive report. You can also watch the second video to see more of Chapman's story.
**Warning some of the injuries depicted in the videos may not be suitable for all viewers**
Have a story for Ronnie? Send her an email at ronnie.dahl@wxyz.com.
