By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

A 20-year old Mona man died on State Road 6 on Sept. 19, a Wednesday night, in a two-car head-on crash near Genola.
Aaron LaMar Newton, 20, born July 15, 1987, was pronounced dead at Mountain View Hospital in Payson at 10:30 p.m. less than a half hour after the crash.
Sgt. Jeff Nigbur of the Department of Public Safety said Newton suffered critical head injuries in the accident. Driver of the red 2001 Dodge Neon, Teisha Painter, 20, also of Mona, was injured in the accident. Painter is listed in serious to critical condition.
The driver of the other vehicle, a 2006 Dodge Charger, was identified as Cindy Ekins, 50, Genola. She was transported to Mountain View Hospital with serious leg injuries as a result of the accident.
Newton was a passenger in the Neon.
“The Dodge Neon was traveling east on SR 6 near Genola at milepost 157 around 10:06 p.m. when it crossed over the highway’s dividing line and crashed head-on into a black 2006 Dodge Charger,” said Nigbur.
Neither Newton nor Painter were wearing seat belts.
Painter was taken to Mountain View Hospital with critical injuries.
In the beginning, Painter was not identified because, Nigbur said, she may be facing charges related to the fatal accident.
“I’m sure we’re already looking at charges. I just don’t know what they’re going to be quite right now,” said Nigbur.
Investigators suspected alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the accident and are waiting for the results of a blood test before determining whether charges will be filed or not.
Road conditions were dry and clear at the time of the wreck.
“We do not suspect excessive speed,” Nigbur said. “However, we do suspect alcohol. I want to reiterate that is not confirmed.”
Ekins was the only person involved in the crash who was wearing a seat belt, he said.
The section of SR 6 where the crash occurred was closed for about three and a half hours while troopers investigated the accident and had the destroyed vehicles towed.
UHP Trooper Matthew Urban in Section 6 (Orem, Utah) is the investigating officer for the fatal crash.
“Nothing has been finalized as far as charges are concerned,” said Maureen Penrod, Section 6 secretary. “The trooper (Urban) is still working on the case and has not completed the paperwork.”
She said Painter’s condition was still highly critical.
In another incident involving Painter, UHP Trooper David Henrie investigated a DUI crash on August 6, 2007, where Painter was the driver and she has been formally charged with DUI in that case, said Hoby Metz, UHP Sgt.