Victim Had Just Been Promoted Gambling Supervisor Killed By Either Cold, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Authorities are waiting for toxicology tests to determine whether temperatures as low as 22 below zero or carbon monoxide poisoning killed two men stranded in their car overnight Wednesday.
Donald E. Chambers, 39, of Ford, Wash., and Jack Jeffries, 46, of Deer Park, died after Chambers’ car slid into a snow-filled ditch in southern Stevens County, near Deer Park.
Chambers was dead when rescue workers arrived about 6 a.m. Thursday, and Jeffries died a few hours later at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane.
Autopsies were performed Friday, but Stevens County Coroner Jerry Wetle said the results won’t be available until early next week when toxicology tests are completed.
Meanwhile, Wetle cautioned motorists to beware of both carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia if they become stranded.
“We recommend that they do not leave the vehicle motor running constantly,” said Stan Miller, president of the Inland Automobile Association in Spokane. “I would never do it for more than five minutes at a time.”
Carbon monoxide from a car’s exhaust can seep into the passenger compartment and cause unconsciousness before victims realize they are being affected.
Miller said stranded motorists should clear snow from the tailpipe and open their windows slightly for ventilation while running the engine. They should periodically flash the lights and honk the horn to attract attention, he said.
The Washington State Patrol said Jeffries and Chambers apparently made no attempt to get help even though they were just 75 yards from a farmhouse near the intersection of Staley and Swenson roads. Troopers believe alcohol affected the men’s judgment.
Acquaintances say Jeffries and Chambers grew up together on the Spokane Indian Reservation, near Ford, Wash.
Chambers was a tribal member who had been working at the Spokane Tribe’s Two Rivers Casino about a year. He was promoted about two weeks ago to a job supervising craps games. Before that, he was a craps dealer.
Two Rivers manager Eileen Desrochers said Chambers knew nothing about craps before coming to work at the casino, but was an apt pupil.
“He was interested in the game, he liked the game and his attendance at work was very good,” Desrochers said. “As far as we knew, he was feeling good about himself and was getting his life together.
“It’s sad when people make an achievement and finally start coming to work in a suit and tie and something like this happens to them.”
Tribal enrollment officer Georgia Peone said Chambers earned an associate degree in computers from Spokane Falls Community College about four years ago and had attempted to start a small business.
Chambers is survived by his estranged wife, Linda; three children, ages 14, 15 and 16, from a previous marriage; his mother, Bertha Broncheau; and three brothers and a sister.
, DataTimes