HARTFORD, Mich. — A woman has died after a suspected, accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in Hartford Wednesday morning.
The incident hospitalized a man too.
According to the Hartford Police Department, the pair was found unresponsive around 8:30 a.m. in a car parked near the Hartford Council for Recreation Baseball Field on Lincoln Street.
Officers say the woman, 18, who has not been identified, died at the scene. The man, 19, was taken to a local hospital. His condition remains unknown.
According to HPD, it appears there was a malfunction in the car's exhaust system but the incident remains under investigation.
FOX 17 talked with Hartford Police Chief Michael Prince Thursday, who called this a tragic accident.
"When officers broke inside the vehicle, it was very hot and they could smell the exhaust fumes," Chief Prince said. "There's indications that the vehicle did have an exhaust leak, exhaust problem. One relative thought they had it repaired, but apparently, there was still an exhaust leak that led to this."
Carbon monoxide deaths usually happen when the odorless, colorless gas builds up indoors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Michael McLeieer, with E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc., says CO deaths can occur outdoors too, if a car's exhaust system malfunctions or gets plugged up.
"The best thing to do is, if people are in their vehicle, making sure again, they keep the vehicle windows cracked," McLeieer explained.
Automotive industry experts say some vehicles with remote ignitions do shut off if they sit idle for too long, and any issues would likely cause the engine to smell or make a noise.
McLeieer recommends taking your car to an auto body shop regularly.
"That licensed mechanic is going to have the ability to put that vehicle up on a hoist and do a thorough inspection," McLeieer added. "So, maybe the next time you get your oil changed, have that vehicle gone through because our roadways and in the salt we use on the roadways can be very corrosive. And, over time, even with our newer vehicles, exhaust systems can start to get the pit holes."
FOX 17 and E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. teamed up with local fire departments and the American Red Cross to provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in owner-occupied homes throughout West Michigan.
To schedule a free smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector installation, email safe@fox17online.com or call 844-978-4400.
READ MORE: Keep Michigan SAFE
