NEWPORT, R.I. — A 21-year-old college football player died from carbon monoxide poisoning after running his car to charge his phone during a massive snowstorm that left hundreds of thousands without power across the Northeast, authorities said. Joseph Boutros, a student at Salve Regina University, was found unresponsive in his vehicle parked outside a campus building on Monday, according to Newport police. The incident has highlighted the hidden dangers of heavy snowfall, particularly when power outages force people to improvise with heat and electricity sources.
Boutros, who played for the university's football team, was discovered by first responders amid the aftermath of a blizzard that dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of Rhode Island and neighboring states. Newport Police Captain Joseph Carroll told reporters that Boutros had informed a fellow student he was using his car to charge his phone because of the widespread power outage in the area. "The vehicle's exhaust pipe was obstructed by snow," Carroll said, adding that the death was ruled accidental due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The storm, which struck over the weekend, knocked out electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses from Rhode Island to Massachusetts. Crews from Connecticut and Rhode Island worked through Wednesday to restore power, battling snow-covered lines and downed trees, as seen in efforts in Plymouth, Mass. Many residents in Rhode Island faced a third consecutive morning without heat or light, with some residential streets still unplowed and impassable.
Salve Regina University's football team expressed devastation over Boutros's death in a post on Instagram. "We are heartbroken," the team wrote, sharing a photo of Boutros posing on the Newport campus in September 2025. Boutros, originally from an unspecified hometown, had been a member of the team and was known for his involvement in campus life, according to university photos provided to the Associated Press.
Carbon monoxide, often called the "silent killer" because it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, poses a heightened risk during winter storms, experts say. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poisoning incidents spike in cold months when people rely more on furnaces, space heaters, and vehicles for warmth and power. Snow accumulation can block exhaust pipes or vents, trapping the deadly gas inside enclosed spaces.
The gas binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing oxygen delivery to vital organs and causing symptoms like throbbing headaches, disorientation, drowsiness, unconsciousness, convulsions, and ultimately death if exposure continues. In Boutros's case, police believe he sat in the idling car for an extended period without realizing the exhaust was blocked by snow, allowing carbon monoxide to build up inside the vehicle.
Such tragedies are not isolated. During a fierce 1978 snowstorm in New England, more than two feet of snow fell over about 30 hours, stranding roughly 3,000 cars and 500 trucks along eight miles of a Massachusetts highway, according to the New England Historical Society. In that event, 14 people perished from carbon monoxide poisoning while waiting in their snowbound vehicles, underscoring how quickly blizzard conditions can turn lethal.
More recently, a historic 2022 storm claimed over three dozen lives across the region, with at least one fatality in New York attributed to snow covering a home's furnace and forcing carbon monoxide back into living spaces. These cases illustrate that the danger extends beyond cars to any improperly ventilated heating source, such as generators run indoors or charcoal grills used for warmth.
Improper use of heating devices during outages exacerbates the problem. People might run cars in attached garages, use gas stoves as heaters, or place portable generators too close to windows, all of which can lead to dangerous buildup. The CDC reports that malfunctions like blocked vents from snow are common culprits, especially after heavy snowfall.
Experts emphasize prevention through awareness and maintenance. Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, noted that idling a car for long periods is generally safe if the exhaust system is clear. "Engines emit a lot of very dangerous chemicals and gases," Fisher said. "If your car is not running right and you hear it sounding funny, you really do need to get it checked out."
Fisher also advised annual inspections of vehicles, particularly after accidents, when exhaust leaks become more likely. Drivers should watch for signs of trouble, such as unusual engine noises or visible fumes, and ensure snow is cleared from tailpipes before starting the engine in stormy conditions.
In the wake of Boutros's death, local officials in Newport have urged residents to install carbon monoxide detectors in homes and cars, and to seek alternative warming methods during outages, such as community shelters. The university has not detailed specific changes to campus protocols but has offered counseling services to students affected by the loss.
As cleanup continues from the storm, which began over the weekend and lingered into midweek, forecasters warn of lingering cold snaps that could prolong outage risks. Power restoration efforts are ongoing, with utility companies reporting progress but expecting full recovery to take several more days in hard-hit areas like Newport.
Boutros's story serves as a stark reminder of the invisible hazards amid visible chaos. While blizzards bring obvious threats like icy roads and hypothermia, the undetectable peril of carbon monoxide claims lives quietly each winter. Health officials recommend having a plan for outages, including battery-powered detectors and knowing symptoms to seek help early.
Investigations into the incident are complete, with no foul play suspected, according to police. The community mourns a young life cut short, as Salve Regina University prepares for memorial events. In a region prone to nor'easters, this event may prompt renewed safety campaigns to prevent future heartbreak.