Salt Lake County, UT — A 21-year-old Utah man, identified as Jose Angel Torres Jimenez, has been charged with automobile homicide after allegedly driving drunk and causing a head-on crash that killed a teen couple early Saturday morning on Interstate 15.
The victims, 18-year-old Leo Shepherd and 17-year-old Anneka Wilson, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Police: Driver Was Drunk, Wrong Way on I-15
Authorities said the crash occurred shortly after midnight when Jimenez, who was reportedly driving with only a learner’s permit, entered northbound I-15 while traveling southbound in his Audi SQ5. Within moments, he collided head-on with a Nissan Rogue driven by Shepherd, with Wilson in the passenger seat.
The impact was catastrophic. According to DPS, the Nissan was fully engulfed in flames, leaving no chance of survival for the young couple.
Signs of Intoxication Immediately Apparent
Court documents reveal that when a Utah state trooper approached Jimenez’s vehicle, he “immediately detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage.” Jimenez reportedly had slurred speech, bloodshot, glassy eyes, and “very relaxed facial features.”
When asked by the trooper whether he felt safe to be driving, Jimenez allegedly replied: “No.”
During a field sobriety test, the trooper reported that Jimenez stumbled and admitted he had been drinking earlier in the night.
Teen Couple Remembered as ‘Beautiful Young Souls’
Families of the victims confirmed the identities of Shepherd and Wilson, describing them as inseparable and full of promise.
Wilson’s brother told KUTV that his sister was preparing to graduate high school and planned to study radiology.
“We’ve lost two beautiful young souls to yet another DUI, and things need to change,” he said, calling for greater action to prevent further tragedies.
The sudden death of the teens has left their families, classmates, and community devastated.
Criminal Charges Filed Against Suspected DUI Driver
Jimenez faces multiple charges connected to the fatal crash, including:
- Two counts of automobile homicide
- Driving under the influence
- Violation of a learner’s permit
He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he remains pending further court proceedings.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding Jimenez’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of the crash, though investigators noted numerous signs of impairment.
A Tragic Reminder of the Dangers of Impaired Driving
The deadly incident adds to growing concern over DUI-related fatalities across Utah. Public safety officials continue urging residents not to drive under the influence and to take immediate action when they suspect someone is impaired.
With two young lives cut short in an entirely preventable accident, the case has reignited community conversation around enforcement, education, and accountability.
What Do You Think?
Should Utah impose stricter penalties for DUI offenses to prevent tragedies like this?
Share your thoughts in the comments — What changes do you believe can help stop wrong-way and impaired driving?
