Two Eastern Region maintenance technicians were killed along the freeway in Spokane in 1959 when a WSDOT paint truck exploded. Newspaper reports stated a flipped cigarette may have caused the large explosion.
George H. Mulfinger, May 8, 1959. George died from injuries received when his paint truck ignited that day.
Francis E. Baker, May 9, 1959. Francis was working on a nearby maintenance truck when the paint truck exploded. He died from his injuries the following day.