Three killed in Highway 191 accident on Aug. 16

Three people were killed on August 16 in a multiple-car crash on US Highway 191 between Monticello and Moab.
A southbound Nissan Maxima was hit by on-coming traffic, specifically a Hyundai Azera, as it attempted to pass a semi-trailer on a double-yellow line. The incident occurred between Wilson Arch and Hook and Ladder north of Monticello.
Two people were killed in the Maxima, while a third fatality was in a Cadillac DTS that was hit by the Maxima after the initial collision. In total, four vehicles were involved.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers said that neither drugs nor alcohol were involved in the crash and added that the driver of the Maxima was apparently driving too aggressively. The highway has a solid yellow line for four tenths of a mile before the collision site.
Killed in the crash are Juan Vidales, age 54, of Saginaw, TX; his daughter Stephanie Vidales, age 27, of Saginaw, TX; and Arthur Loewen, age 69, of Perry, GA.
Traffic was stopped on Highway 191 for approximately one hour while emergency crews responded to the incident. A Med-evac helicopter landed on the highway as part of the response effort.
In addition to the fatalities, three additional crash victims, including a ten-year-old child, were evacuated and treated at San Juan Hospital in Monticello and St Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, CO.
Charges are still pending against the driver of the Maxima, David Lewis, age 28, of Saginaw, TX.