Young Couple, Ages 17 and 18, Die in 'Horrific' Car Crash While Traveling for Thanksgiving: 'Taken Far Too Soon' By Raven Brunner

A young couple was killed in a car crash while traveling for Thanksgiving.

Leo Shepherd, 18, and Anneka Wilson, 17, died on Saturday, Nov. 29, after they were struck head-on by another vehicle that was allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 15, according to a press release from the Utah Department of Public Safety.

The collision occurred at around 3 a.m. local time, when a gray Audi allegedly entered the interstate incorrectly and collided with a black Nissan Rogue. 

Jose Jimenez, 21, was allegedly operating the wrong-way vehicle. He sustained minor injuries from the collision and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, officials said. 

The collision caused the Nissan Rogue to become “fully engulfed in flames,” and Shepherd and Wilson were pronounced dead on the scene, per the Utah Department of Public Safety press release. 

Fox 13 reported that Jimenez was driving with a learner’s permit during the incident. He is now facing charges of automobile homicide, driving under the influence and wrong way driving, as well as violation of his learner’s permit.

Court documents obtained by the outlet state that Jimenez said he did not feel safe to be driving at the time of the incident. 

Utah Highway Patrol Lieutenant Brian Peterson told Fox 13 that the interstate lanes near the crash site were closed for several hours. 

Speaking of the severity of the collision, Peterson said, “I’ve been a state trooper for almost ten years now. We’ve been on several very bad scenes; this one was horrific. It was one of the worst ones that I’ve personally seen.”

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According to Fox 13, Shepherd and Wilson were en route to Idaho to spend Thanksgiving weekend with Wilson’s aunt. 

Shepherd’s family member, Shantell Shepherd Hansen, remembered the couple with a tribute on Facebook, writing, “There are no words big enough for this kind of heartbreak. Two souls who brought so much light, love, and laughter into our lives were taken far too soon.”

“Leo had a heart of gold and loved fiercely. Anneka was pure warmth, beauty, and kindness. It brings me the smallest bit of comfort knowing they left this world side by side, the same way they lived,” Hansen added. 

A GoFundMe page has been created to support the grieving families. “Anneka’s family and Leo’s family are now facing unimaginable grief and heartbreak. Losing two people so loving, so young, and so full of life has left a pain no family should ever have to experience,” the fundraiser said.