Man killed after semi hits backhoe

ARCO, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - UPDATE 2/14/20: Idaho Transportation Department Transportation Technician Mark Reinke died at approximately 7 a.m. Thursday on westbound US-20 about five miles east of Arco.

He was driving a backhoe and had his seatbelt fastened when a semi hit the backhoe from behind.

Mark was killed while performing roadwork that served the public need.

“At ITD, we value every single employee, and losing any one of them is like losing a member of the family,” said ITD Director Brian Ness. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark’s loved ones, and to those in District 6 who had the privilege of working with Mark.”

Reinke started working for ITD last summer.

Mark is the 40th employee lost while on the job with ITD since 1960.

ORIGINAL: Idaho State Police report a 56-year-old Howe man died in a crash westbound US20-26 at milepost 253, 5 miles east of Arco Thursday around 7:06 a.m.

ISP reports Mark Reinke, 56, of Howe, was westbound on US20-26 in a backhoe, and Felipe Saldana Blanco, 64, of Terreton, was driving behind the backhoe in a 2005 Peterbilt semi pulling two trailers.  

Police say the Peterbilt struck the backhoe from behind, and both vehicles went off the right shoulder.  

A ground ambulance transported Reinke was to Lost Rivers Medical Center in Arco, where he succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin has been notified.  

ISP said both Reinke and Saldana Blanco were wearing seatbelts.  

The westbound lanes of travel were blocked for approximately two hours.

The crash is under investigation by Idaho State Police.