The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal incident involving a stranded motorist with one passenger on a remote section of roadway on McCormack Ridge Road.
According to a news release, at about 1:50PM on Sunday, the sheriff’s office responded to a call regarding a vehicle found off the roadway in a remote area of McCormack Ridge Road, which is not maintained for the winter season. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a vehicle with two occupants. The passenger was deceased, and the driver was found unconscious and unresponsive.
The driver was treated by local EMS and transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center before being transferred to a larger trauma center.
Although investigations are ongoing, the initial investigation suggests the cause of death for the deceased passenger, and the critical condition of the driver, may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The vehicle was found with a significant amount of snow piled up under, and around the vehicle potentially causing the fumes to enter the vehicle’s cabin.
The identity of the individuals involved is being withheld pending further investigation by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office.
