A 21-year-old college football player has died from carbon monoxide poisoning after attempting to charge his phone in his car during a severe snowstorm. Joseph Boutros, a student at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, was found unresponsive in his vehicle on Monday in Newport.
Police reported that the vehicle's exhaust pipe was obstructed by snow, leading to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The area was experiencing a power outage at the time, and Boutros had told a fellow student he was using his car to charge his phone.
The university's football team expressed their heartbreak over Boutros' death in an Instagram post. The storm left hundreds of thousands without power across the Northeast, and many Rhode Island residents remained stranded at home as streets remained unplowed.
Carbon monoxide, often called the 'silent killer', is odourless, colourless and tasteless. Prolonged exposure reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, causing headaches, disorientation, drowsiness, and eventually death. The risk is higher in winter when people use heaters and furnaces that emit the gas, especially if vents are blocked by snow.
Experts advise drivers to ensure their vehicles are inspected annually and to watch for warning signs like unusual engine sounds. Sitting in an idling car is generally safe, but exhaust pipes must remain clear of snow to prevent deadly gas buildup.
