Utah families gathered this week to remember teenagers who lost their lives on the state’s highways, using the annual Teen Memoriam to urge drivers to choose safety over risk. The memorial, now in its 17th year, highlights personal stories in hopes of preventing future tragedies.
Rob Wilson remembers his daughter Anneka
Rob Wilson spoke of his 17‑year‑old daughter, Anneka, describing her as a “great young lady” who was “raised right” and always cared for those around her. On November 29, 2025, Anneka and her boyfriend, Leo Shepherd, were traveling to family in Idaho when an impaired driver struck their vehicle head‑on at high speed. “Drunk driving is a choice,” Wilson said. “Someone chose to get behind the wheel drunk and hit my daughter. How do you prepare somebody to avoid that? You can’t.” He added that the loss left “a hole that will never be filled,” but sharing Anneka’s story is his way of keeping her spirit alive and warning others.
Brooke Garner honors her son Conner
Brooke Garner recounted the death of her 16‑year‑old son, Conner Russell, who died in March after a night of drinking with a friend. The driver, also under the influence, was traveling around 100 mph, lost control on a curve, and the vehicle rolled multiple times. Both teens were ejected; Conner was killed on impact. Garner hopes that telling Conner’s story will persuade another driver to make a different decision. “If we can make just one different choice and be here and come home to our families, then it was worth it,” she said.
State data and ongoing efforts
According to Zero Fatalities, 43 teen drivers were involved in fatal crashes in 2025, resulting in 47 total deaths. The organization notes that 16‑ to 19‑year‑olds face a higher crash risk than any other age group. Utah’s Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) say they are working to intervene before a decision becomes a tragedy, emphasizing education, enforcement, and community outreach.
Utah’s Teen Memoriam began in 2007, when 40 teenagers lost their lives on state roads. While the number of teen deaths has fluctuated over the years, the commitment to remembering each child and preventing future loss remains steadfast.
Parents call for responsibility
Both Wilson and Garner stress that, as parents and community members, it is their responsibility to prepare young people for safe choices. “If sharing our children’s stories can help somebody be aware and alert of their surroundings, that’s good,” Wilson said. “Because that’s who my daughter was—she would have helped anybody, anywhere, at any time.”
The families hope that their painful testimonies will inspire drivers across Utah to buckle up, avoid impairment, and respect speed limits, ensuring that more teens return home safely.
Original reporting: FOX 13 KSTU (Salt Lake County) — read the source article.
