A 21-year-old Salve Regina University student died Monday night from carbon monoxide poisoning after sitting in a running vehicle that was buried in snow, authorities said.
Newport Police and Fire responded around 7:20 p.m. Feb. 23 to a parking lot on Bellevue Avenue to check on a person inside a vehicle.
When first responders arrived, they found Joseph Boutros unconscious inside the car, which was still running as he charged his cellphone. The vehicle was covered in snow, and the exhaust pipe was embedded, preventing fumes from escaping, officials said.
Newport Fire Rescue transported Boutros to Newport Hospital’s emergency department, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Authorities said the death was accidental.
Boutros had gone to his car to charge his phone after his dormitory lost power during the storm. Snow buildup around the vehicle’s exhaust pipe caused carbon monoxide — a colorless, odorless gas — to accumulate inside the car.
Police and fire officials said the incident serves as a stark reminder to ensure vehicle exhaust pipes are clear of snow and debris before idling, particularly after heavy snowfall.
Salve Regina University has not yet released additional details.
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