F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E
October 4, 2017 – Shakopee, Minnesota: Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar and Scott
County Sheriff Luke Hennen announced today that an arrest has been made
regarding the motor vehicle rollover in Jackson Township that occurred on
September 14, 2017. Khalil Malik Watson
(DOB: 05/09/1997) has been arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada by the U.S. Marshall’s
Service on suspicion of one count of criminal vehicular homicide and two counts
of criminal vehicular operation. He has
been booked into the Clark County Detention Center and is awaiting extradition
back to Minnesota. Initially, one of the
juveniles involved in the crash stated she had been the driver in the deadly
incident, but later attested that Mr. Watson had been the driver. Additionally, Mr. Watson has admitted through
several text messages to being the driver.
Scott County Attorney Hocevar has stated the matter is still under
investigation and is being reviewed for potential criminal charges. "We know that people have a lot of
questions about this incident," he stated.
"And many of these questions will be addressed in the charging
documents, if and when they are filed. Until then, it wouldn't be appropriate
for me to comment about this situation."
Scott County Sheriff Luke Hennen took the opportunity to reinforce the
reality that safety – vehicular or otherwise – can largely depend on a person's
individual choices and behavior.
"Unfortunately, tragedy can strike at any time, with no
warning," Hennen said. "But I
need to emphasize that there are often many factors within our own control that
can help avoid incidents like this one.
Parents, grandparents, any loving adult – please stress the need for
caution and attentiveness when talking with our young people about operating a
vehicle. Nothing is worth losing a life."
A decision regarding the charges against the alleged driver is expected
on Thursday. The criminal complaint for
Mr. Watson would provide more details, Hocevar stressed. Until then, no further information will be
provided.