NEWPORT, R.I. — A devastating accident has claimed the life of Joseph Boutros, a 21-year-old student at Salve Regina University, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while sheltering in his car during an intense winter storm.

Authorities say Boutros was found unconscious on February 23, 2026, in a campus parking lot in Newport. His vehicle was heavily covered in snow, and investigators believe the exhaust pipe had become blocked, causing deadly carbon monoxide gas to accumulate inside the car as it remained running.

Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where his death was later confirmed. Police have described the incident as a tragic accident and are urging the public to be aware of the dangers of running vehicles in heavy snow conditions, particularly when exhaust systems may be obstructed.

The university community is mourning the sudden loss of a young life taken far too soon. Friends and classmates remember Joseph Boutros as a dedicated student and a kind presence on campus whose absence will be deeply felt.

Officials continue to emphasize safety precautions during winter storms, hoping that increased awareness may prevent similar tragedies in the future, even as a grieving community struggles to come to terms with the loss.