Tragic Wrong-Way Crash Claims Young Couple's Lives
A devastating wrong-way collision on a Salt Lake City interstate has claimed the lives of two teenagers, with police confirming the suspected driver was under the influence and violating his learner's permit conditions. Anneka Wilson, 17, and Leo Shepherd, 18, died instantly when their vehicle was struck head-on by a grey Audi SQ5 driven the wrong way down Interstate 15 by 21-year-old Jose Jimenez.
Fatal Journey and Thanksgiving Plans Cut Short
The young couple were travelling to Wilson's aunt's farm in Idaho to continue their Thanksgiving weekend celebrations when the tragedy struck around 2am on Saturday. According to family members who posted on social media, the pair had recently marked their three-year relationship anniversary.
Footage from the scene showed one vehicle erupting into flames following the catastrophic impact. Utah Highway Patrol confirmed both Wilson and Shepherd suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene, while Jimenez sustained only minor injuries.
Lieutenant Brian Peterson of the Utah Highway Patrol described the crash as "one of the worst" he'd witnessed in his decade-long career. "I've been a state trooper for almost ten years now. We've been on several very bad scenes; this one was horrific," he told reporters.
Arrest and Charges Following Devastating Collision
Jimenez was arrested at the scene and now faces multiple charges including two counts of automobile homicide, driving under the influence, wrong-way driving, and violation of his learner's permit. Court documents revealed that Jimenez had admitted to feeling unsafe behind the wheel before the fatal incident.
In a chilling coincidence, authorities reported another wrong-way driver in the same area around the time of the fatal crash. Fortunately, a trooper managed to intercept that vehicle before it could cause any harm.
Lieutenant Peterson issued a stark warning to all drivers: "Don't drink and drive. That's the most basic, fundamental rule. Don't drink and drive. Whatever you do, just don't get behind the wheel."
Remembering Two Bright Young Lives
Anneka Wilson had recently celebrated receiving acceptance to at least four colleges and had secured scholarships to attend both Snow College and Utah Tech. A GoFundMe page established for both families described her as "a loving, caring soul whose warmth touched everyone she met."
Her brother Hallister remembered her as "the best sister you could ask for and one of the best humans to be around." He added that she had worked in an elder-care home where she "would send videos of herself laughing and smiling with the residents."
Leo Shepherd was described as having "that big-hearted, teddy-bear kindness that wrapped around the people he loved" and was particularly devoted to his nieces and nephews. His sister Shantell Shepherd Hansen expressed the family's devastation, saying: "Today, our world shattered. There are no words big enough for this kind of heartbreak."
Shepherd's older brother RJ emphasised the importance of forgiveness and learning from the tragedy: "It's hard for me and my family but the best thing we can do is forgive and hope that Leo's accident is a message to people that drink and drive. It's not worth the pain that you cause people."
The southbound lanes of I-15 near the crash site remained closed for several hours following the incident, reopening around 10am as investigators completed their initial work at the scene.
