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Thursday incident claims ITD's Art Fournier

The transportation department today mourns the loss of Art Fournier, a 13-year ITD employee who died late Thursday afternoon while returning to the Caldwell maintenance facility.

“On behalf of his many friends at ITD, I offer my condolences to Art’s family,” said Director Dave Ekern. “He was a valued, respected employee whose many contributions to the state of Idaho, the transportation department and his community will be greatly missed.”

Fournier was alone in a small ITD pick-up truck, towing a trailer loaded with construction barrels, when the vehicle left Old Highway 30 near Middleton. It traveled through an open field and a rustic barn before coming to rest in an irrigation ditch. The incident occurred about 3:30-3:45 p.m., according to District 3 Maintenance Manager Dick Powell.

Authorities say medical conditions may have contributed to his death; an investigation is under way.

Fournier, who was 51, began his ITD career in District 2, working out of the Deary maintenance facility. Well-liked and respected by colleagues, Fournier transferred to District 3 in 2003 and worked as a Transportation Technician in New Plymouth.
He and Cynthia, his wife of 19 years, lived in New Plymouth.