Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
UTAH COUNTY — Utah County officials are investigating after a body was found in the middle of a road near Payson Saturday morning.
A woman reported finding a body lying in the middle of the road on her way home from work around 5:30 a.m. according to Sgt. Spencer Cannon. The teen was found dead at the scene near 2000 W. Arrowhead Trail when officials arrived.
Upon investigation, Utah County officials found that the male had received significant physical trauma. Investigators believe he either fell out of a vehicle, but aren't sure if he was inside, on top or was possibly pushed out. Evidence was spread over a 100-foot area.
"There was a significant amount of trauma, very extensive trauma from head to toe," Spencer said. "There was no chance of survival, however this happened."
The teen was identified Saturday afternoon as 17-year-old Nathan Tyler Haun from Spanish Fork. Police said Haun and other teens were at a party drinking Friday night, but that the other teens and parents were being uncooperative in the investigation, refusing to talk.
Authorities managed to speak with to one teen, who was walking along the road near the incident between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Saturday. They said he may have been walking home at the time. The teen was at the party and said he had an argument with Haun about a girl, but he didn't see Haun leave.
Investigators don't believe there was any kind of foul play between the two or that the teen knows what happened to Haun.
Officials said the Medical Examiner will be able to tell if Haun had any injuries before he ended up on the roadway. They are also looking at surveillance video from the Salem City Public Works building.
"If it was an accident, he was pushed out of a car, why didn't someone dial 911, you know, or stop and give him CPR or anything like that," Said father Preston Haun.
Haun said his son left home with a friend last night and said they were going to watch a movie at the park.
Longtime friends of Nate said they don't know who he was with last night either.
"It was shocking to me," said Samantha Acosta. "I just started crying cause he was a good friend. He was nice to everyone. I don't see how someone could do this to him."
Relatives said Nate was a typical teenager who loved to have fun. He was also a budding artist. He was getting his GED and planned to go to art school. "We need closure," his father said. "We need to know what happened."
