BULLETIN 1/17/11: DOT worker killed by falling tree during weather-related work

UPDATE: 1/17/11: 

Department of Transportation member Billy Rhynalds (pictured right) died in the line of duty late Sunday after being hit by a falling tree during a rainstorm on Highway 203 south of Carnation. 

Rhynalds, 65, was a 12-year veteran of the department. He was a member of King County State DOT Local 378.

The worker was setting up safety cones to keep motorists away from downed powerlines. That's when the cottonwood tree fell and hit him and his truck.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, and many children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. The entire Federation family joins in mourning this deep loss.
POSTED 1/16/11:  A Department of Transportation member died in the line of duty late Sunday after being hit by a falling tree during a rainstorm on Highway 203 south of Carnation.

The worker has not been identified pending notification of family.

The worker was setting up safety cones to keep motorists away from downed powerlines. That's when the tree fell on his truck and killed him.

The entire Federation family joins in mourning this deep loss.

Members gathered in the Federation Headquarters for a lobby day this morning were stunned to hear of the news. They held a moment of silence.

Domingo Avila, a DOT member of Local 1020 in Everett, knew the fallen member.

"He was always the first one stepping up to do whatever needed to be done," Avila told the group of Federation member activists.

Avila said his friend went to Disneyland once, and took neighborhood kids he knew could never afford to go.

"That's the kind of person he was, a really nice man," he said. "I was very honored to call him my friend and to have known him for these years."

As we get more details we will post them here.

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