The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the passenger found deceased in a stranded vehicle on McCormick Ridge Road earlier this month, died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Dispatchers were alerted to a vehicle off the road on February 9th. When deputies arrived, 52-year-old John Benn was found deceased inside the vehicle that had became stuck on the road that is not maintained during the winter months. Deputies noted a significant amount of snow under and around the vehicle, which potentially caused the fumes to enter the vehicle’s cab.
The driver of the vehicle, 50-year-old Kevin Barger was found unconscious and unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital before being transferred to a larger trauma center for further treatment before being released.
