FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2018; Shakopee, Minnesota: Scott County Sheriff Luke Hennen and Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar announced today that Khalil Malik Watson, the driver that caused the single-vehicle rollover crash that killed a Shakopee High School student and critically injured two other teens last fall, was sentenced to 111 months in prison by Judge Lennon this afternoon.
On September 14, 2017, a vehicle carrying four passengers driven by 20-year-old Watson of Burnsville was traveling south on Zumbro Avenue outside of Shakopee at an extremely high rate of speed when it left the road, hit a field approach driveway, and overturned. The passengers, all from Shakopee, included Ja’Mason Moffett, 16, who was pronounced dead at the scene; and Sheikhnur “Shak” Jimale, 17, and Hannah Chance, 17, who were critically injured. Watson was found to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash. He pleaded guilty in April to one count of criminal vehicular homicide and two counts of criminal vehicular operation causing great bodily harm.
“The Scott County Attorney’s Office will continue to vigorously prosecute illegal activity under any circumstance,” said Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar. “We take our role in protecting the public’s safety extremely seriously. However, we also do our very best to balance these responsibilities with compassion for all four of the young lives affected by this tragedy; one of which will never see his 17th birthday, and three others whose lives were profoundly altered on September 14 of last year. Further, their families, friends, and other community members may never fully heal from Watson’s bad, although fleeting, choice. At the very least, we hope that this tragedy may serve as a cautionary event for anyone who considers driving recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
“The tragedy here is that a young man lost his life and two others will suffer life-long injuries due to the negligence of someone who decided to drive recklessly and under the influence,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to families of the victims. While we know that the conclusion of this case cannot bring Ja’Mason back, this can hopefully provide some sense of closure to this senseless and avoidable tragedy. We are fortunate to live in a community that has repeatedly shown its compassion and support when tragedy strikes. I would ask each of you, as members of our community, to please help prevent future tragedies like this by stressing to our young people that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only a dangerous choice, it illegal and can quickly turn lethal.”