Joseph Boutros, a 21-year-old college student, died while charging his mobile phone inside his car during a historic snowstorm that hit the Rhode Island region in the United States.
According to The New York Post, Boutros, who was in his second year of law school at Salve Regina University, was found unconscious inside the car by authorities on Monday afternoon (23).
According to the Newport Police Department, Boutros was charging his phone inside the vehicle, which was parked in a parking lot during the heavy snowstorm that struck the region earlier in the week.
He was taken alive to a local hospital, but his death was announced shortly afterward due to inhalation of carbon monoxide — a toxic gas that prevents oxygen transport in the blood and causes suffocation.
Boutros, who was a member of the university’s football team, received a tribute from his teammates on social media. “The Salve Football family mourns the passing of Joseph Boutros,” the team wrote in a post on X.
“His infectious smile, selfless spirit, and the way he showed up for his brothers every day made our program better in every way.”
According to the National Weather Service, about 860 mm of snow covered the Newport, Rhode Island, area during Winter Storm Hernando on Monday.
“This tragic incident was […] a reminder to remain vigilant and ensure that vehicle exhaust pipes are kept clear of snow and debris when vehicles are idling,” the Newport Police Department said in a statement.
Photos: Facebook / X @Salve_Football. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
