Background: An image taken at the scene of a Nov. 29 car crash that killed two people (Utah Department of Public Safety). Inset: Leo Shepherd and Anneka Wilson (GoFundMe).
Authorities apprehended Jimenez at the crash scene, which occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday. According to police reports, Jimenez, who was reportedly operating the vehicle with only a learner’s permit, drove the wrong way on the interstate. His car collided with a vehicle carrying 18-year-old Leo Shepherd and 17-year-old Anneka Wilson, tragically resulting in the deaths of both teenagers at the scene.
Further details emerged from court documents, as reported by local ABC affiliate KTVX, revealing that a state trooper questioned Jimenez at the crash site. When asked whether he felt safe driving, Jimenez allegedly responded, “No.” This alarming admission highlighted his impaired state during the incident.
The Utah Department of Public Safety detailed the sequence of events in a press release, noting that Jimenez’s Audi SQ5 entered the northbound lanes of I-15 while driving southbound. It wasn’t long before the fatal collision occurred with Shepherd’s Nissan Rogue, which was reported to be fully engulfed in flames following the impact.
Upon approaching Jimenez’s vehicle, a state trooper noted several signs of intoxication. The trooper recounted detecting a strong smell of alcohol, observing Jimenez’s slurred speech, and noticing his glassy, bloodshot eyes and overly relaxed facial features. These observations have been crucial in the ongoing investigation into the tragic crash.
Court documents stated that a state trooper went over to Jimenez’s car and opened the door. The trooper said he “immediately detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” upon finding Jimenez, who was slurring his words and had “glassy, bloodshot eyes” and “very relaxed facial features.”
While administering a field sobriety test, the trooper said Jimenez stumbled and admitted that he had been drinking that night.
Shepherd and Wilson were later identified by family members as the teen couple killed in the crash. Wilson’s brother told local CBS affiliate KUTV that his sister was getting ready to graduate from high school and study radiology. He said, “We’ve lost two beautiful young souls to yet another DUI and things need to change.”
Jimenez was charged with two counts of automobile homicide, driving under the influence, and violation of a learner’s permit. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.
