Two teens dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Hoffman Estates
Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of two Conant High School students found early Sunday morning in a locked car in Hoffman Estates, authorities said.
According to Hoffman Estates police, officers and firefighters responded to the 200 block of East Berkley Lane at 12:37 a.m. for a report of two people who appeared unconscious and not breathing in a vehicle parked outdoors.
After finding the 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy unresponsive, first responders forced open the vehicle, pulled out the teens and began lifesaving measures, police said.
They then were taken to Ascension St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where they were pronounced dead at 1:29 a.m. and 1:22 a.m., respectively.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office identified the teens as Litzy Flores, 16, of Carpentersville, and Yeferson A. Flores Ramos, 17, of Hoffman Estates.
Autopsy results released by the medical examiner Sunday afternoon indicate both teens died from carbon monoxide poisoning from inhaling automobile exhaust. The deaths were ruled accidental by the medical examiner’s office.
The case remains under investigation, police said. Among the issues they are examining is whether there were issues with an after-market exhaust system installed on the vehicle.
Conant High School Principal Julie Nowak confirmed in a statement Sunday that Flores was a sophomore at the high school in Hoffman Estates, and Ramos was a senior.
“This is a terrible loss for the entire Conant Community,” she wrote. “As a school, our thoughts are collectively with the families, loved ones, and friends of Yeferson and Litzy during this extremely difficult time.”
Ramos had plans to join the U.S. Army after graduation, Nowak wrote. He represented Honduras at the school’s International Fair last week, she added.
Flores was actively exploring her path and was making the most of her opportunities at Conant, she wrote.
“Both Yeferson and Litzy were beloved by their teachers and classmates,” Nowak wrote.
Therapists will be in the students’ classes Monday, she said. Additional support, including therapeutic staff and comfort dogs, will be available to any student in need.
“I ask that the adults in our community, parents and guardians, take time to discuss this loss with their children,” Nowak wrote. “It’s helpful for students to process loss at home with their families.
“I am confident our Conant Community will join together to create an environment of caring support for one another and that these families will know the love we had for Yeferson and Litzy,” she continued.