Plum Woman Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A Plum woman died of carbon monoxide poisoning last week after a car was left running in the garage.

Mary Harris, 66, of New Texas Road died on June 19. 

According to Plum police, Harris' daughter found her unresponsive on the bathroom floor. Her husband, Gary Harris, was on a recliner upstairs and very confused. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital and treated overnight.

According to the police report, firefighters found that the couple's car had been left running in the garage overnight. When emergency officials arrived, the car already had run out of gasoline, but the car key was in the "on" position.

Average levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm), according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.

Firefighters reported that levels inside the Harris' home were in excess of 300 ppm. 

No foul play is suspected in this incident.

A memorial service for Mary Harris will be held on Wednesday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Maurice L. Knee Funeral Home, 7663 Saltsburg Rd. To view her obituary, click here.