Compiled for S.751 Legislative Briefing Package — SC Senate Judiciary Committee
Prepared: February 2026 | Scope: United States | Sources: news articles, court filings, lawsuit complaints, obituaries, medical case reports, CDC/JAMA data ■ Southeast state cases (SC, NC, GA, TN, FL) are flagged throughout
Of the 30 named deaths, 17 were killed by or in N2O-impaired vehicle crashes. The remaining 13 died from direct N2O use (asphyxiation, chronic complications, or fire while impaired). These publicly named cases represent approximately 2% of the 1,240 total N2O deaths documented by CDC for 2010–2023 alone.
Average age at death: 32.9 years (30 victims with known ages). Range: 15–79 years. Eleven victims were teenagers (age 15–19). Seventeen victims were under age 30.
2 — SOUTHEAST CASES AT A GLANCE
Cases occurring in SC, NC, GA, TN, or FL — the states most relevant to S.751 and regional legislative coordination.
Five deaths and two permanent-injury survivors have been publicly documented in the Southeast. Florida accounts for three deaths; Georgia and Tennessee each have one. South Carolina has one named survivor (the lead plaintiff in the Galaxy Gas class action). No publicly named deaths have been documented in South Carolina or North Carolina — but this does not mean none have occurred; the JAMA study reports 1,240 deaths nationally with no state-level breakdowns.
NAME
AGE
STATE
DATE
OUTCOME
TYPE
Jill Lawniczak
53
FL SE
Jul 1, 2020
Death
Killed by N2O-impaired driver
Charles “Chuck” Johnson
78
GA SE
Mar 3, 2024
Death
Killed by N2O-impaired driver (Galaxy Gas)
Margaret “Meg” Caldwell
29
FL SE
Nov 22, 2024
Death
Direct N2O — chronic abuse / overdose
Ashley Weir
30
FL SE
Nov 29, 2024
Death
Direct N2O — overdose
Kelly Rosenthal
31
TN SE
Jun 23, 2025
Death
Direct N2O — stroke / blood clots
Jacob Iannotti
—
SC SE
~2024
Permanent injury
Subacute combined degeneration (Galaxy Gas)
Josh Todd
—
GA SE
~2024
Permanent injury
Diplegia, myelopathy, neuropathy (Miami Magic)
3 — DEATH REGISTRY — FULL CASE DETAILS
Chronological by date of death. Each entry documents one named individual. Entries linked to the same incident are grouped with a shared incident label. DIRECT = death from personal N2O use. DUI = killed by or in N2O-impaired vehicle crash. HAZING = N2O administered during hazing. FIRE = fire while N2O-impaired.
#1 — Richard A. Guy DIRECT
Age ~20 | Cambridge, MA (MIT) | ~September 1999
MIT junior and physics major from Mission Viejo, California. Found dead in his dormitory room. Cause of death: accidental asphyxiation from nitrous oxide intoxication. A plastic bag was found near his body. Two people were arraigned on drug charges in connection with the case. MIT later settled a wrongful death lawsuit with his parents.
Age 19 | Chicago, IL (Illinois Institute of Technology) | November 2008
Sophomore biomedical engineering major from Lincolnwood, IL. ROTC cadet. Reported missing November 14; body found November 22 in a storage room in the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house on IIT campus. Small whippet cylinders found near body. Cook County Medical Examiner ruled death accidental asphyxia from inhalation of nitrous oxide.
Killed in head-on collision when Michael Dean Sharp, 22, purchased 50 Whip-It nitrous oxide canisters from a California head shop, inhaled the gas from a balloon, then drove at 60 mph across the double-yellow line on Folsom Boulevard. Christopher and his brother Robert (below) were killed; a third occupant, Bronson Chapman, was seriously injured. Sharp had N2O and THC in his system.
Legal outcome: Sharp entered no-contest pleas. Sentenced to 9 years 8 months in prison.
Age 19 | Claremont, CA (Claremont McKenna College) | May 17, 2013
Sophomore at Claremont McKenna College. Found unresponsive in his dorm room with empty whippet canisters nearby. Died of asphyxiation from inhaling nitrous oxide. Pronounced dead at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.
Age 17 | San Bernardino County, CA (I-10) | June 5, 2014
Passenger in a vehicle whose driver passed out after inhaling nitrous oxide. The car ran off the shoulder of the westbound I-10 freeway and struck a tree, killing everyone inside. Scott had earned his high school diploma one week earlier. Son of a former Rialto city councilman.
Legislative impact: His death led to the introduction of the federal Myles Edward Scott Act (H.R. 3470, 117th Congress) and the city of Rialto, CA becoming the first in the nation to ban recreational nitrous oxide sales.
Age 18 | Athens, OH (Ohio University) | November 12, 2018
Died from asphyxiation due to nitrous oxide ingestion during an alleged hazing incident at the Sigma Pi fraternity at Ohio University. Fraternity members provided and forced drugs on him including nitrous oxide, cocaine, marijuana, Adderall, Xanax, and moonshine. Approximately 100 N2O canisters found at the scene.
Legal outcome: Nine men indicted on charges including reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and tampering with evidence. Sigma Pi expelled from Ohio University. Family settled wrongful death suit (Dec. 2021).
Age 17 | State College, PA (near Penn State) | October 19, 2019
Cathedral Preparatory School student from Erie, PA, visiting friends. Died of chemical asphyxia from inhaling nitrous oxide (whip-its) at an off-campus house associated with Chi Phi fraternity near Penn State. Began hyperventilating, stopped breathing, became unresponsive. No alcohol in his system.
Legal outcome: Ruled accidental by Centre County Coroner. No criminal charges filed due to Pennsylvania “Drug Overdose Response Immunity” statute (residents stayed with him until EMS arrived).
Killed when Tucker Hoopengarner, 29, was speeding in rush-hour traffic, veered into oncoming lane, and crashed into her Kia. Investigators found a commercial-grade whipped cream dispenser, spent nitrous oxide canisters, and a box of “XXX Platinum — 50 Triple Refined Cream Chargers” in his SUV.
Legal outcome: Hoopengarner pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and unlawful distribution of N2O. Sentenced to 6 years in prison, 10 years probation.
Leaving her workplace at Total Access Urgent Care when struck by an SUV driven by Trenton Geiger, 20, who had passed out behind the wheel after inhaling Whip-It! brand nitrous oxide purchased from a Des Peres smoke shop. She was a radiologic technologist.
Legal outcome: $745 million jury verdict (Sept. 2023). United Brands Products (Whip-It! distributor) found 70% liable, smoke shop 20% liable, Geiger 10% liable. Former United Brands warehouse employee testified that ~75% of product went to smoke shops.
Former Zappos CEO. Official cause of death: complications from smoke inhalation after a house fire. Hsieh was a heavy nitrous oxide user — reportedly up to 50 cartridges per day. His bedroom was “littered with hundreds of spent nitrous oxide cartridges.” He retreated to a shed while intoxicated and a fire broke out. His brother had been trying to help him wean off N2O. Death certificate lists smoke inhalation; N2O impairment was a contributing factor to the circumstances.
Passenger in a car driven by Adam Teasdale on New Year’s Eve. Teasdale swerved off the roadway and hit a tree. All three passengers were flung through the rear window and killed. Sixteen Whip-It N2O canisters and a near-empty bottle of Fireball whiskey were found at the scene. Teasdale’s BAC was 0.17% (twice legal limit). Both N2O and alcohol contributed to impairment.
Legal outcome: Teasdale pleaded no contest to three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Age 79 | Huntington Beach, CA (killed near Sweet Home, OR) | May 14, 2022
Killed in head-on collision on Highway 20 near Sweet Home, Oregon. Driver Robert Paul Prettyman veered across five lanes while impaired by N2O. Investigators found 46 used Whip It! canisters on his floorboard and 78 unused chargers in his daughter’s Minnie Mouse backpack (124 total).
Legal outcome: Prettyman convicted on two felony counts of second-degree manslaughter. Sentenced to 100 months (~8.3 years) in prison.
Age 71 | Howell Township, MI (I-96) | November 13, 2022
Killed in head-on crash on I-96 when driver Collin Cramer, 22, lost consciousness while inhaling “Hippie Whippy” brand N2O. Cramer crossed three lanes and the median into oncoming traffic. Both Glavin and Cramer (below) died. A nitrous oxide canister was found between Cramer’s legs with a gas-release nozzle on the floor.
Legal outcome: Wrongful death lawsuit filed Jan. 2025 against Elite Gas LLC, Mr. Vapor of Howell, Smoker’s Depot, Inc., and multiple individuals.
Age 20 | Hardy County, WV (JMU student) | February 2, 2023
Killed during a Pi Beta Chi (PBX) fraternity rush trip to a club in Hardy County, WV. Rushees were compelled to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol; fraternity members also brought cannabis and nitrous oxide (whippets). N2O canisters and a discharging device were found in the wrecked vehicle, including one on the driver’s side dash. Freshman Campbell Fortune drove at 95 mph before crashing. Mardis and two others died.
Legal outcome: Wrongful death lawsuit filed by Howard Mardis (father) against Pi Beta Chi and affiliates, seeking $150 million.
Age 18 | Tecumseh, OK (crash near Norman, OK) | February 2, 2024
Passenger in a 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by Sutton Petz, 30, who was allegedly huffing N2O whippets while driving. Petz lost consciousness; the car veered off the road, traveled through a grass ditch, became airborne, impacted multiple trees, and rolled. Bias, a 2023 Tecumseh High School graduate and standout baseball player, was killed.
Legal outcome: Petz arrested April 9, 2024. Charged with second-degree murder (upgraded). His mother, Candi Morris, is advocating for HB 1933, the “Maddix Bias Act,” which unanimously passed the Oklahoma House (89–0).
Age 78 | Woodstock, Cherokee County, GA | March 3, 2024 (died March 10)
Struck and killed while riding his electric bicycle on a sidewalk on Towne Lake Parkway by Joseph “Joey” Tillman, 24, who had purchased and inhaled Galaxy Gas N2O from a Cloud 9 Smoke & Vape shop less than one hour before the collision. Tillman fled the scene.
Legal outcome: Tillman pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, DUI, felony hit-and-run, tampering with evidence, reckless driving, and false statements. Sentenced to 3 years in prison followed by 17 years probation. Widow Regina Johnson filed wrongful death lawsuit against Galaxy Gas LLC, SBK International LLC, and Cloud 9 Smoke & Vape.
Struck and killed as a pedestrian when Maria Cuevas, 30, inhaled from a 2.2-liter canister of “Miami Magic” brand N2O while driving, blacked out, and struck him at an intersection. Five days prior, Cuevas had a similar episode — blacking out behind the wheel and crashing on Highway 101 — without consequence.
Legal outcome: Cuevas pleaded guilty to felony hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter. Sentenced to 25 years 4 months in prison. Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Commerce Enterprises Inc. (Miami Magic), PrimeCo Wholesale, Payless Cigarette Smoke Shop, and others.
Morningside High School (Inglewood) student killed in head-on collision on Vista Del Mar. A teen driver of the other vehicle allegedly took a hit of laughing gas and slumped over the wheel. LAPD found a nitrous oxide tank and containers near the wreckage. David was set to graduate on the day of his funeral.
Found dead behind an Orange Blossom Trail smoke shop where she routinely purchased N2O products. Had been inhaling N2O “hundreds of times a day.” In September 2024, she temporarily lost the use of her legs from B12 depletion and nervous system damage. Her doctor warned: “You are going to die if you keep using this drug.” Addiction began in college in her mid-20s; she purchased products sold under brand names including Galaxy Gas, Looper, Cosmic Gas, and Monster Gas from at least seven different Central Florida smoke shops.
Legal outcome: Sister Kathleen Dial filed class action lawsuit (Feb. 6, 2025, Orange County Circuit Court) against Galaxy Gas, Looper, Monster Gas, Cosmic Gas, Baking Bad, and seven Florida smoke shops.
Found dead in bed surrounded by N2O tanks. Started using in 2020 at a restaurant job; was in recovery for 2 years (2021–2023) but relapsed in August 2023. Her mother Carissa Garabedian has publicly warned that N2O is “a very debilitating and obviously deadly substance that is not being recognised by so many and is continuing to be sold.”
Killed in a wrong-way head-on crash on Broadway in Lemon Grove. Driver James Mendias, 28, drove his Chevrolet Silverado westbound in eastbound lanes. Two open alcoholic beverages and a canister of N2O were found in/near his truck. Silva was a 36-year-old mother and salon owner.
Legal outcome: Mendias pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Bob Bryar — Age 44, Tennessee. Former drummer of My Chemical Romance (2004–2014). Found dead in his Tennessee home on November 26, 2024 (last seen alive November 4). Three nitrous oxide canisters with attached tubing were found next to his body. Cause of death ruled undetermined by medical examiner due to advanced decomposition. N2O canisters at the scene suggest possible N2O involvement, but this cannot be confirmed.
[1] TMZ
[2] E! News
Four unreported client deaths — metro Atlanta, GA. Kim Castro, a metro Atlanta drug addiction specialist, reported to WSB-TV that four of her clients died from nitrous oxide poisoning. One overdosed in a hotel room. Names not publicly released.
[1] WSB-TV Atlanta
Summary Table — All Named Deaths
#
NAME
AGE
LOCATION
DATE
TYPE
BRAND / PRODUCT
1
Richard A. Guy
~20
Cambridge, MA
~Sep 1999
Direct — asphyxiation
—
2
Benjamin Collen
19
Chicago, IL
Nov 2008
Direct — asphyxiation
Whippets
3
Christopher Ohlander Martell
37
Folsom, CA
Jan 7, 2012
DUI victim
Whip-It!
4
Robert Todd Ohlander
32
Folsom, CA
Jan 7, 2012
DUI victim
Whip-It!
5
Ali Wallace Mirza
19
Claremont, CA
May 17, 2013
Direct — asphyxiation
Whippets
6
Myles Edward “Eddie” Scott
17
San Bernardino Co., CA
Jun 5, 2014
DUI victim
N2O (driver passed out)
7
Collin Wiant
18
Athens, OH
Nov 12, 2018
Hazing — asphyxiation
N2O cartridges
8
John “Jack” Schoenig
17
State College, PA
Oct 19, 2019
Direct — chemical asphyxia
Whip-its
9
Jill Lawniczak FL
53
Tampa, FL
Jul 1, 2020
DUI victim
N2O chargers
10
Marissa Politte
25
Ballwin, MO
Oct 18, 2020
DUI victim
Whip-It!
11
Tony Hsieh
46
New London, CT
Nov 27, 2020
Fire while N2O-impaired
N2O cartridges
12
Timothy Michael Wilson
20
Bakersfield, CA
Dec 31, 2020
DUI victim (N2O + alcohol)
Whip-It!
13
Devin Lee Atha
20
Bakersfield, CA
Dec 31, 2020
DUI victim (N2O + alcohol)
Whip-It!
14
Andrew Nicholas Ortiz
20
Bakersfield, CA
Dec 31, 2020
DUI victim (N2O + alcohol)
Whip-It!
15
Carl Curtis
79
Sweet Home, OR
May 14, 2022
DUI victim
Whip It!
16
Yvonne Levy
73
Sweet Home, OR
May 14, 2022
DUI victim
Whip It!
17
Eugene Glavin
71
Howell Twp., MI
Nov 13, 2022
DUI victim
Hippie Whippy
18
Collin Cramer
22
Fowlerville, MI
Nov 13, 2022
DUI driver (also died)
Hippie Whippy
19
Joshua “Josh” Mardis
20
Hardy Co., WV (JMU)
Feb 2, 2023
DUI victim (fraternity crash)
N2O chargers + alcohol
20
John “Luke” Fergusson
19
Hardy Co., WV (JMU)
Feb 2, 2023
DUI victim (fraternity crash)
N2O chargers + alcohol
21
Nicholas Troutman
19
Hardy Co., WV (JMU)
Feb 2, 2023
DUI victim (fraternity crash)
N2O chargers + alcohol
22
Maddix Bias
18
Norman, OK
Feb 2, 2024
DUI victim
Whippets
23
Charles “Chuck” Johnson GA
78
Cherokee Co., GA
Mar 3, 2024
DUI victim
Galaxy Gas
24
David Sprague
66
Eureka, CA
May 22, 2024
DUI victim
Miami Magic
25
David Ceja
17
Playa del Rey, CA
Jun 4, 2024
DUI victim
N2O tank
26
Hector Ceja Jr.
15
Playa del Rey, CA
Jun 4, 2024
DUI victim
N2O tank
27
Margaret “Meg” Caldwell FL
29
Clermont, FL
Nov 22, 2024
Direct — chronic overdose
Galaxy Gas, Looper, Cosmic Gas
28
Ashley Weir FL
30
Pompano Beach, FL
Nov 29, 2024
Direct — overdose
N2O tanks
29
Kelly Rosenthal TN
31
Nashville, TN
Jun 23, 2025
Direct — stroke / blood clots
N2O canisters
30
Tonia Silva
36
Lemon Grove, CA
Jun 29, 2025
DUI victim (N2O + alcohol)
N2O canister
4 — SURVIVORS WITH PERMANENT INJURY
Named individuals who have gone public about permanent injuries from N2O abuse. Organized by date of injury/public reporting.
S1 — Vito Oliveri
Gresham, OR | Onset: April 2022
Temporarily paralyzed due to B12 deficiency caused by N2O. Ongoing strength and balance problems from permanent nerve damage. Started with small whippets before escalating to large cylinders delivered to his home.
Partner of Vito Oliveri. Also temporarily paralyzed from N2O-induced B12 deficiency. “I couldn’t walk. I had to physically learn how to walk again.” Ongoing nerve damage.
Age 26 | New Orleans, LA | Hospitalized: November 6, 2023
Severe B12 deficiency, partial paralysis, subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. Hospitalized one month, unable to feel her legs. Continues to experience cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, chronic nerve pain, and inability to walk properly. Father Greg Combel found ~$1,800 in empty N2O tanks in her apartment in three weeks; he has publicly urged lawmakers to increase regulation.
Partial paralysis, brain damage (“dead zones” in brain that do not recover), permanent loss of sensation in toes, loss of bladder function. Had to relearn how to walk and write during a month of intensive rehabilitation (30 hours/week). Now works as a receptionist; permanent dead zones in brain and numbness in extremities remain.
Subacute combined degeneration, nerve damage consistent with B12-related neuropathy from Galaxy Gas use. Symptoms include dissociation, numbness, coordination problems, and weakness in limbs. Filed the first class action lawsuit against Galaxy Gas (Iannotti v. Galaxy Gas, LLC, N.D. Georgia, 1:2025cv01037).
Collapsed, could not feel body, could not walk, hands stuck in fixed positions (contractures). Underwent extensive physical therapy after three years of N2O use. Doctors said she was fortunate treatment was issued in time, as the paralysis could have been irreversible.
Vitamin B12 deficiency, diplegia (paralysis of corresponding body parts), myelopathy, neuropathy, pulmonary embolism, muscle spasms, gait/mobility abnormalities, incontinence. Hospitalized for several months; now dependent on a walker. Filed individual lawsuit against Amazon for selling Miami Magic N2O without adequate warnings (W.D. Washington).
Lesions throughout spine. Wheelchair-bound. Spent one month in hospital and one month in nursing facility. Used up to seven N2O canisters per day during a year of addiction. May never walk normally again.
Claims Galaxy Gas and SBK International knowingly sold him addictive N2O products from when he was a teenager, causing addiction that resulted in neurological deterioration and cognitive impairment. Filed product liability suit in Orange County Superior Court.
The named cases above represent only ~2% of documented U.S. N2O deaths. The following data from CDC WONDER and JAMA Network Open provides the full epidemiological picture.
Yockey & Hoopsick — JAMA Network Open (July 2025)
▶ Total U.S. N2O deaths 2010–2023 (ages 15–74): 1,240
▶ 578% relative increase from 2010 (23 deaths) to 2023 (156 deaths)
▶ 74% of all deaths occurred in the last 7 years (2017–2023)
▶ At least 11 workplace deaths from N2O abuse documented 1984–1987 (NIOSH). All young male employees; 6 of 11 worked in food service.
▶ 29 individual cases in 11 publications — published forensic case reports of N2O death (systematic review through 2020; Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2022)
▶ Oregon: 30 N2O-related deaths in 3 years (per OPB, May 2025)
▶ San Diego County: 3 fatal N2O DUI cases in 11 months (Oct 2024 – Sep 2025), up from zero the prior year
Major lawsuits and enforcement actions related to N2O deaths and injuries. As of early 2026, mass litigation against N2O manufacturers is accelerating.
Wrongful Death & Product Liability
CASE
COURT
FILED
TYPE
DEFENDANT(S)
STATUS
Chaplin & Politte v. Geiger, United Brands
St. Louis County, MO
~2021
Wrongful death
United Brands (Whip-It!), Coughing Cardinal, Geiger
$745M verdict (Sep 2023)
Johnson v. Galaxy Gas, LLC GA
Cobb County Superior Court, GA
Sep 2024
Wrongful death
Galaxy Gas, SBK International, Cloud 9
Pending
Iannotti v. Galaxy Gas (1:2025cv01037) SC plaintiff
▶ News articles: Searched “nitrous oxide death,” “whippets death,” “Galaxy Gas death,” “laughing gas death,” “nitrous oxide overdose,” “whip-it death,” “nitrous oxide car crash death”
▶ Court filings: Searched “nitrous oxide wrongful death lawsuit,” “Galaxy Gas lawsuit,” “Whip-It lawsuit,” specific named cases (Chaplin v. Geiger, Iannotti v. Galaxy Gas, DiPirro v. United Brands, Lira v. Amazon, Todd v. Amazon)
▶ Medical literature: PubMed for “nitrous oxide death case report,” “nitrous oxide fatality,” JAMA Network Open mortality study (Yockey & Hoopsick); CDC MMWR surveillance; forensic pathology case reports
▶ Survivors: Searched “nitrous oxide paralysis,” “nitrous oxide myelopathy,” “nitrous oxide wheelchair,” “whippets nerve damage,” named individuals from prior reporting
Inclusion Criteria
▶ Each entry requires at least one verifiable source URL
▶ Deaths: full name must appear in at least one public report (news article, court filing, or official press release)
▶ Survivors: individual must have gone public by name with their story
▶ U.S. cases only (UK cases noted in survivor research but excluded from registry counts)
Limitations
Severe undercount. The JAMA study documents 1,240 N2O deaths in the U.S. from 2010–2023 using ICD-10 coded death certificates. This registry identifies only 25 by name — approximately 2% of the CDC-documented total. The vast majority of N2O deaths receive no individualized media coverage, no lawsuit filing, and no public identification. The true count is almost certainly higher than even the JAMA figure, as N2O is difficult to detect on standard toxicology screens and deaths may be misclassified.
No state-level breakdown available. The JAMA study suppressed state-level data due to small cell sizes. It is therefore impossible to know how many of the 1,240 deaths occurred in South Carolina, Georgia, or other individual states. The absence of a publicly named SC victim does not indicate absence of SC deaths.
Survivor cases are even more underreported. Most people who suffer N2O-related nerve damage, paralysis, or blood clots do not go public. The 9 named survivors here represent a fraction of the 937 poison center cases reported in 2021–2023 alone.
Average Age Calculation
▶ Average age at death: 32.9 years
▶ Median: ~22 years
▶ 11 victims were teenagers (ages 15–19)
▶ 17 victims were under age 30
Prepared as Document 07 of the S.751 Legislative Briefing Package.