Teen couple killed in wrong-way drunk driving crash: Police
Share this @internewscast.com

An individual from Utah faces charges of vehicular homicide, accused of driving under the influence and causing a fatal head-on collision with a vehicle carrying two teenagers.

Man charged after fatal wrong-way crash

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).

Jose Angel Torres Jimenez, aged 21, was apprehended at the accident site on Interstate 15 in Salt Lake County, Utah, last Saturday. According to police reports, Jimenez, who only possessed a learner’s permit, was allegedly intoxicated when he drove in the wrong direction and collided with a vehicle. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 18-year-old Leo Shepherd and 17-year-old Anneka Wilson, who were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Local ABC affiliate KTVX shared court records indicating that a state trooper questioned Jimenez about his confidence in driving safely, to which Jimenez reportedly replied, “No.”

According to a release from the Utah Department of Public Safety, the unfortunate crash occurred shortly after midnight when Jimenez drove his Audi SQ5 southbound in the northbound lanes of I-15. His vehicle soon collided with Shepherd’s Nissan Rogue, which burst into flames upon impact.

Court documents reveal that when a state trooper approached Jimenez’s vehicle, he immediately detected a strong smell of alcohol. Jimenez exhibited signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, “glassy, bloodshot eyes,” and “very relaxed facial features.”

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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Gainesville Shocker: Woman Arrested After Tense Gun Incident with Neighbor

By Staff Writer GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a tense neighborhood dispute, Celestia…

FBI Nabs Ex-Olympic Snowboarder on Most-Wanted List in Mexico Arrest

Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, a top FBI fugitive accused of…

Firefighter Allegedly Used Ax in Fatal Wife Assault After Reading Her Diary, Attorney Reveals

Inset left to right: Andrew Jimenez and Mayra Jimenez (Facebook/Mayra Jimenez). Background:…

Gilgo Beach Murder Suspect Seeks Dismissal of Charges Ahead of High-Profile Trial

Rex Heuermann, alleged to be the Gilgo Beach serial killer, is actively…

Minnesota Resident Faces Serious Charges in 7-Year-Old Girl’s Abduction and Assault Case

A Minnesota man, aged 28, was taken into custody early Thursday morning…

Chilling Crime Uncovered: Man Abandons Rented Chevy Malibu with Victim’s Body Inside

Background: Authorities look for evidence at an auto shop in Grafton, Wisconsin,…

Tragic Confrontation: Estranged Husband Fatally Shoots Wife’s Companion During Escape Attempt, Authorities Report

Share A chilling incident unfolded in South Carolina, landing a man in…

Shocking DUI Arrest: Drunk School Bus Driver Endangers Dozens of Children

Background: The Lancaster County Department of Corrections in Lincoln, Nebraska (Google Maps).…

Tepe Murders: Surgeon Accused of Killing Pleads Not Guilty, Maintains Composure During Arraignment

In a high-profile legal drama unfolding in Franklin County, Ohio, 39-year-old Illinois…

DOJ Stumbles Over Key Prosecutor’s Name Amid Legal Battle with Letitia James Subpoena

Left: Attorney General Pam Bondi appears before a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight…

Help Find Her: $10K Reward for Missing 63-Year-Old Indigenous Woman – FBI Seeks Your Assistance

The FBI has announced a $10,000 reward in the search for a…

Stepfather Arrested for Long-Term Abuse of Teen as Mother Allegedly Turned a Blind Eye

A man from South Carolina faces serious charges following allegations of sexually…