On Monday, December 11, 2023, at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, one student died, and three others were hospitalized due to a suspected carbon monoxide leak in campus housing. The incident ignited a comprehensive investigation by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and forensic experts.
An alarm company contracted by the college responded to carbon monoxide alarms earlier that day, though details about the response and whether the alarms were from the same modular housing unit where the student died are not clear.
Jonathan Rodriguez, a 21-year-old student from DuPont, Washington, was identified as the victim of the leak by the Thurston County Coroner’s Office.
His death came to light when a student residence manager raised an alarm after failing to contact the students who were living together in a modular home.
An Evergreen police officer responded to the situation by breaking down the door of the home around 8:30 p.m. He attempted CPR but was unable to revive the student. The officer, along with two other students in the house, required hospitalization.
In the wake of this incident, the college’s spokesperson, Farra Layne Hayes, expressed uncertainty about the current conditions of the hospitalized students and whether they had been discharged.
The WSP, in collaboration with a forensic engineering firm specializing in carbon monoxide investigations, is conducting an investigation to uncover the cause of the incident.
In a statement, Evergreen President John Carmichael reflected on the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the college’s commitment to the safety of its students, staff, and faculty as its highest priority. The college mourns the loss of a young life and extends its condolences to the families and friends of those affected.