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PAYSON — A 16-year-old boy who was critically injured in a weekend crash that killed a teenage girl was improving Monday.
Steven Johnson has improved to serious condition despite injuries to his head, lungs, ribs, pelvis and liver, said Utah Valley Hospital spokeswoman Janet Frank.
Johnson's family believes he "is improving but has a long road ahead of him," Frank said.
Police say Johnson was driving east on Utah Avenue in Payson on Saturday night when he made a left turn and the car he was driving slid across the westbound side of the road near an intersection with 1500 West. An oncoming vehicle struck Johnson's car on the passenger side, according to Payson police.
Erica Montague, 16, was a passenger in Johnson's vehicle and died at the scene. Montague was a student at Salem Hills High School, where she played on the softball team. Johnson, who was taken to Mountain View Hospital in Payson and later airlifted to Utah Valley Hospital, also attends Salem Hills High.
The Nebo School District provided counselors at the school Monday.
The driver and passengers in the other vehicle were hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to Payson Police Lt. Bill Wright. The lieutenant said Monday that police are still investigating the crash.
