FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — A 31-year-old Amazon delivery driver died from carbon monoxide poisoning after she was found unresponsive inside her idling delivery van, according to the Lake County medical examiner.People
Jaylene Vargas-Gonzalez was discovered in the cargo area of the Amazon Prime van on the evening of Aug. 10 near the end of a resident’s driveway on Clark Road. A neighbor, Patrick Miranda, contacted authorities after the vehicle sat running in the same spot for roughly four hours.
Miranda told local media that when a deputy opened the door, the officer immediately reacted to the fumes. Firefighters later arrived in gas masks, rinsed Vargas-Gonzalez off with a hose, and began life-saving efforts. She was transported to Leesburg Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
About 15 minutes before she collapsed, Vargas-Gonzalez sent a text message to a loved one that read: “This van is giving off a bad smell in the air that's making me dizzy.” Surveillance footage from inside the vehicle showed her moving packages before she fell to the floor.
The medical examiner determined her cause of death was carbon monoxide toxicity from accidental exposure inside the delivery van. Her blood carboxyhemoglobin level was 58 percent. Investigators found a dent in the exhaust pipe. When they restarted the engine and tested the interior, carbon monoxide levels rose steadily. Earlier that day, Vargas-Gonzalez had reported that the van became stuck in sand along the side of the road.
Loved ones described Vargas-Gonzalez as a mother of two whose children “were her entire world.” A GoFundMe was established to support the family.
Amazon issued a statement after the incident in August, saying the company was “deeply saddened by this tragic incident” and that its “thoughts and prayers are with the driver’s loved ones.” The company said it was cooperating fully with local authorities. Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate.
The medical examiner ruled the death accidental. No charges have been announced.
A note on comments: Our advertisers enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy on racism, hate speech, and threats of violence. Any comment that crosses that line will be removed and the account permanently banned — no warnings. Debate hard, but keep it civil.
A note on comments: Our advertisers enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy on racism, hate speech, and threats of violence. Any comment that crosses that line will be removed and the account permanently banned — no warnings. Debate hard, but keep it civil.