Man’s Death Likely From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The death of a Washington County man who was running a portable gas-powered generator in his basement is being investigated as a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The Washington County Coroner says 60-year-old Jeffrey McClay was found unresponsive Thursday in his home on Covered Bridge Road in Prosperity after a power outage Wednesday. As a result of McClay’s death, the coroner’s office is urging users of portable generators to use them safely and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, saying gas-powered generators should never be used inside homes or enclosed spaces.