Two high schoolers found dead in car from carbon monoxide poisoning, Illinois cops say
Two high schoolers died in what police suspect was an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning after the pair were found unconscious in a parked car, authorities told news outlets.
Police officers and paramedics broke into the parked car in the Hoffman Estates suburb of Chicago and pulled unconscious 16-year-old Litzy Flores and 17-year-old Yeferson A. Flores Ramos from the vehicle at about 12:40 a.m. March 2, according to WMAQ.
The teens were taken to a local hospital. Yeferson Flores Ramos was pronounced dead at 1:22 a.m., followed by Litzy Flores at 1:29 a.m., according to the Daily Herald. After identifying the pair later that day, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office determined their deaths were caused by accidentally inhaling carbon monoxide, according to the outlet.
Police didn’t explain how the teens knew each other or their connection to the home where the accident occurred, according to WLS.
“It’s shocking, because this neighborhood is very, very quiet. To have something like that happen to such young kids, I can’t believe it,” Debra Patel, a nearby neighbor, told the outlet. “They’re so young. I don’t understand how you could have carbon monoxide when you’re in a car outside, so that’s kind of a puzzle to me.”
The Hoffman Estates Police Department said it is investigating how the teens died and plan to look at the car’s exhaust system to see if it caused the CO buildup, according to the Herald.
James B. Conant High School Principal Julie Nowak released a statement explaining that Litzy Flores was a sophomore and Yeferson Flores Ramos was a senior at the school, according to WGN.
“Yeferson was preparing to graduate and had plans to join the U.S. Army. He was a proud Conant student who represented Honduras at our school’s International Fair last week,” she said, according to the statement obtained by the outlet. “Litzy was actively exploring her path and making the most of all the opportunities at Conant. Both Yeferson and Litzy were beloved by their teachers and classmates.”
