SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A 21-year-old man has been charged with multiple felonies, including murder, in connection with a tragic incident that left two teenagers dead on Interstate 15. The charges stem from an early morning crash on November 29, 2025, that followed an alleged sexual assault at a Salt Lake City hotel.
Jose Angel Torres Jimenez faces serious charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, forcible sexual abuse, aggravated assault resulting in unconsciousness, and several driving-related offenses. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community as it involves the loss of two young lives, identified as Anneka Wilson, 17, and Leo Shepherd, 18, who were on their way to a family gathering in Idaho.
The alleged assault occurred around 1:51 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, where Jimenez reportedly inappropriately touched a 17-year-old girl. The girl’s boyfriend, who had also been in the hotel room, was alerted to the situation when she woke him to report Jimenez’s actions. After confronting Jimenez, the boyfriend followed him to the parking garage, where Jimenez fled in his vehicle, striking the girl as she stood nearby.
Witnesses described the harrowing scene, noting how Wilson, the driver of a Nissan Rogue, attempted to escape from her burning vehicle after the crash. Emergency responders found her badly injured and began life-saving measures, but she later died from her injuries. Her front-seat passenger, Shepherd, was also found dead in the vehicle.
Following the collision, officers spoke with Jimenez, who admitted to consuming alcohol that night. He displayed noticeable signs of impairment and performed poorly on a field sobriety test. A preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.134, significantly above the legal limit. Furthermore, data from the vehicle’s crash data retrieval system revealed that Jimenez was driving at a speed of 120 mph prior to the crash.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two young victims, highlighting the lasting impact on their families and friends. He stated that counseling services would be made available to the young girl affected by the alleged assault, underlining the office’s commitment to providing necessary support during this traumatic time.
Gill also acknowledged the dedicated work of law enforcement in handling the case, reiterating that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The community remains in mourning as it grapples with the ramifications of this tragic event while seeking justice for the victims.