Salt Lake County, Utah – A devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 15 left two teenagers dead after their vehicle was consumed by flames, and the suspected drunk driver behind the collision reportedly admitted on the spot that he should not have been driving. Authorities say the tragedy unfolded just after midnight Saturday, marking one of the region’s most heartbreaking DUI-related crashes this year.
A Utah Highway Patrol trooper reported that 21-year-old Jose Angel Torres Jimenez was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-15 when he slammed head-on into a Nissan Rogue carrying 18-year-old Leo Shepherd and 17-year-old Anneka Wilson. Both teens died at the scene, and troopers said their car was “fully engulfed in flames” within moments of impact.
Incident Overview
Investigators say Jimenez was behind the wheel of an Audi SQ5, operating the vehicle with only a learner’s permit. According to arrest records, he displayed clear signs of intoxication from the moment officers reached him. The Utah Department of Public Safety confirmed the crash occurred shortly after midnight, at a time when the highway was lightly trafficked but still active with weekend drivers.
Troopers responding to the scene found the teens’ vehicle burning intensely, with no chance for rescuers to reach them in time. The head-on force of the collision left both cars heavily damaged, and first responders described the crash site as catastrophic.
What Police Found at the Scene
Court documents detail the moment a trooper opened Jimenez’s car door and immediately smelled a strong odor of alcohol. Officers said he had slurred speech, glassy, bloodshot eyes, and “very relaxed facial features,” all consistent with intoxication. During a field sobriety test, Jimenez stumbled and allegedly admitted he had been drinking before driving.
When asked whether he felt safe being behind the wheel, a trooper wrote that Jimenez responded simply:
“No.”
Officials later confirmed he was driving in violation of his learner’s permit and had no licensed adult in the vehicle.
Timeline of the Wrong-Way Crash
Authorities say Jimenez entered the interstate heading the wrong direction and traveled only a short distance before colliding with the teens’ vehicle. Shepherd was driving northbound at the time, and investigators believe he had no warning or opportunity to avoid the oncoming Audi. The Nissan Rogue burst into flames almost immediately, leaving both Shepherd and Wilson trapped inside.
The Utah Department of Public Safety included these details in a weekend press statement, describing the crash as both avoidable and devastating.
Families Identify the Victims
Relatives later confirmed the identities of the teen couple. Shepherd, 18, and Wilson, 17, were both described as vibrant young people with promising futures.
Wilson’s brother told local reporters that his sister had been preparing to graduate high school and pursue a career in radiology. He emphasized the danger of impaired driving, saying:
“We’ve lost two beautiful young souls to yet another DUI and things need to change.”
Community members echoed similar sentiments online, many expressing outrage that an unlicensed and allegedly intoxicated driver was able to enter the interstate traveling the wrong way.
Charges Filed Against the Suspect
Jimenez was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and is facing multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of automobile homicide
- Driving under the influence
- Driving the wrong way
- Violation of a learner’s permit
Prosecutors are expected to review additional charges as the investigation continues. Officers say the case highlights ongoing concerns about impaired driving and wrong-way incidents on Utah highways.
A Rising Concern on Utah Roads
Law enforcement agencies across the state have been tracking an increase in wrong-way collisions, many tied to alcohol use. Officials frequently remind drivers that even a moment of impaired judgment can lead to irreversible tragedy. Public safety data shows that DUI-related fatalities remain one of the leading causes of roadway deaths in Utah.
Highway Patrol leaders say they will continue pushing enforcement, especially during late-night and weekend hours when drunk driving incidents spike.
Community Impact
As word spread through local schools and neighborhoods, friends and classmates of Shepherd and Wilson expressed grief over the loss. Both teens were remembered as hardworking, kind, and tightly bonded as a couple. Vigils and memorial messages began appearing on social media, with community members pledging support for the families.
Officials say this crash is another stark reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving, particularly when combined with wrong-way entry onto high-speed roads.
Conclusion
The investigation remains active as authorities gather more evidence and prepare the case for prosecution. Families of the victims are urging drivers to take DUI risks seriously and to think about the consequences before getting behind the wheel.
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