Joseph Boutros, 21, of Bohemia, dies of carbon monoxide poisoning in Rhode Island, police say

A college football player from Bohemia died Monday of carbon monoxide poisoning while charging his phone in a snow-covered car in Newport, Rhode Island,  police there said.

Joseph Boutros, 21, a student at Salve Regina University in Newport, was unconscious when police and firefighters found him in a car in a parking lot at 7:20 p.m., the Newport Police Department said in a news release.

"This tragic incident was accidental and a reminder to be vigilant to keep exhaust pipes clear of snow and debris when vehicles are idling," the statement said.

Boutros was listed as an offensive lineman on the 2025 Salve Regina football team roster. He was a criminal justice and criminology major and graduated in 2022 from Connetquot High School.

Newport police said the vehicle’s exhaust pipe was embedded in snow when first responders arrived at the parking lot. The vehicle was not running. Boutros was transported to the Newport Hospital emergency room, where he was pronounced dead.

Alan Rodrigues, also of Bohemia and a 2022 Connetquot High graduate, told Newsday late Tuesday he found Boutros, his best friend, unconscious in his car Monday night. He was shaken by the death of his college roommate.

"I’m doing the best I can, given the circumstances," Rodrigues said.

Rodrigues also played football at Connetquot and reconnected with Boutros in 2024 at Salve Regina. He's 

now a senior football player at Salve Regina.

Said Connetquot football coach Mike Konsevitch of Boutros: "Joe had an infectious smile ... Every day on the football field was a great day for him. He worked extremely hard at a sport he loved."

Konsevitch said Boutros "improved every year and got playing time on the offensive line as a senior. He went on to play at Nassau Community College and now at Salve Regina."

The coach recalled Boutros' grandmother's expression on the high school football team's Senior Day.

"I can still see her smile because she was so proud of him and how he stuck it out with football and earned his opportunities for playing time," Konsevitch said.

Connetquot High School Principal Michael Moran said Boutros was very likable and worked hard in school.

"He was a great kid all around," Moran said. "He always came back and stood on the sidelines supporting our program. He was very friendly and loved the football program."