An Oklahoma Turnpike Authority employee, Zac Rinehart, who also served as a volunteer firefighter, lost his life while performing his duties along the Will Rogers Turnpike near Miami. In a statement obtained by the Oklahoma State Senate, Senator Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, expressed his devastation over the loss, describing Rinehart as a dedicated public servant. "I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of Zachary Rinehart," said Bergstrom.
Bergstrom offered condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Rinehart, who was struck and killed by a semi while performing his duties. He also acknowledged Colton Armstrong, the second OTA employee injured in the incident, noting that prayers and support are being extended to Armstrong and his family.
"Zac was performing the vital, and often dangerous, work of keeping our roads safe when he was struck and killed by a semi," Bergstrom stated, according to the Oklahoma State Senate. In addition to his role with the OTA, Rinehart was a dedicated member of the Vinita Fire Department and the Craig County Technical Rescue Task Force.
