Teen Dies After Drinking Dewshine - Deadly Mixture of Mountain Dew & Racing Fuel

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Two teens have died after allegedly drinking "Dewshine"; a deadly mixture of Mountain Dew and racing fuel. Police are investigating the incident after they found Logan Stephenson, 16, unresponsive in his home Thursday.

Stephenson's best friend, J.D. Byram died Monday night at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, reports People. The two teenagers are among a group of students who experimented with the cocktail last Wednesday. Both teens were students at Grienbrier High School.

Two other boys were taken to the ER after coming forward saying they were also among the group who drank the bizarre concoction. Dr. Donna Seger, executive director of the Vanderbilt University's Tennessee Poison Center, said they were later released, reports CNN

"This was an unfortunate accident," Seger said. The doctor told CNN the four boys were in a group that purposely mixed the soda with methanol (racing fuel) instead of ethanol. A very small amount of methanol can be toxic, according to Seger. She feels certain that the group of teenagers had no idea of the potential danger of the mixture.

Allegedly, the two boys who died drank far more than the others did, according to Seger. More so, Seger believes that Dewshine is not something new although this is the first case that has been reported. Her staff checked with other poison center but no similar cases were reported.

Although there are cases of methanol infections, this is one is a severe case. The teens ingested almost 100 percent methanol.

"Typically, people don't come up with names for something if it's an isolated event," she said to CNN. "We need to educate people."

Seger's interview with People further explained what the concoction is: it is a mixture of Mountain Dew and methanol in racing fuel. Normally, there is a small amount of methanol in alcoholic drinks, mostly blamed for hangovers. However, to drink pure methanol is deadly.

She further added that methanol is extremely toxic with just a sip or two. Methanol affects the body in cellular level affecting the eyes and can cause a person to go blind. It can cause acid accumulation in the blood.

In Byram's case, he was taken to the hospital after the colour of his skin changed and the boy started having seizures.

Symptoms of methanol poisoning include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches and the inability to coordinate muscle movements. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, heart and breathing failures, according to CNN.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward. "You will not be in trouble with law enforcement if you were present at this gathering," the police said, as reported by WKRN. "Our goal is to ensure the safety of our citizens and get medical help for those who may need it."

Authorities are still waiting for the toxicology and autopsy results. The substance is not yet the definitive cause of the boy's death.

Pepsi Co also distributes a non-alcoholic product with the same name.

To understand alcohol metabolism and methanol poisoning, check out the video below: