Energy Drinks Linked to Teen Death
Written by Eunseo Whaong
When 16-year-old Davis Cripe left for school in South Carolina, no one imagined it would be the last time his family saw him alive.
His mother, Heidi, said the loss still feels unreal.
"We told him we loved him before he left that morning. We never got the chance to say it again while he was alive."
According to witnesses, Davis consumed three caffeinated drinks—a Mountain Dew, a coffee, and an energy drink—within just 40 minutes. Shortly after, he collapsed at school.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts explained that the rapid intake triggered a fatal heart rhythm issue.
“It wasn’t the total amount of caffeine alone,” he said. “It was how quickly he consumed it that led to the cardiac event.”
Why Teens Don’t See It as Dangerous
Davis’s parents say many young people treat energy drinks like regular soda and don’t realize the risks. After their son’s death, they began speaking out to prevent similar tragedies.
A South Carolina lawmaker, Leon Howard, has proposed a bill to ban the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 18.
"We want to regulate energy drinks the same way we do alcohol," he said.
The Cripe family supports the bill and believes such a restriction could have saved their son.
Davis’s father, Sean Cripe, said losing a child to something completely legal makes it even harder to accept.
"As parents, our job is to protect our kids and see them grow up. Knowing something this common took his life—it’s tough to live with."
How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day—about four or five cups of coffee.
But energy drinks can pack a surprising amount:
• Some cans hold 100–300 mg each
• Teens often stack them with soda or coffee without realizing the total
Ann Slattery from the Regional Poison Control Center in Alabama says there have been teen cases requiring emergency care after high caffeine intake. She recommends:
No caffeine at all for children under 12
Teens should avoid energy drinks completely or severely limit consumption
She also noted that even two sodas or a large iced tea can add up to about 100 mg of caffeine.
A Preventable Risk
While most people don’t think twice about coffee or energy drinks, Davis’s story shows how fast caffeine can become dangerous—especially when consumed quickly or in combination.
His family hopes that more awareness, better education, and responsible regulations will help save other teens from similar tragedies.
