A Shakopee man is now facing serious criminal charges following a fatal crash on Highway 169 late Sunday night that claimed the life of 46-year-old Kala Karlene Henry of Chaska.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred around 11:40 p.m. as Henry was traveling south on Highway 169. Investigators say her vehicle was violently rear-ended, forcing it off the roadway and into a ditch, where it struck a culvert and rolled. Henry was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after. Charging documents state her vehicle was “totally crushed” from the impact.
Prosecutors have charged 20-year-old Goay Gatluak Jikany with criminal vehicular homicide. Witnesses told investigators they saw a vehicle “sailing through the air” at the moment of the crash, followed by a cloud of smoke. Approximately 50 yards from Henry’s car, troopers located a heavily damaged GMC Acadia facing the wrong direction. Jikany was identified as the driver.
According to the criminal complaint, troopers noticed Jikany smelled strongly of alcohol, had bloodshot and watery eyes, and slurred his speech. At one point, he told a Shakopee officer, “I don’t care what happens to me, tell me they are OK,” but later claimed Henry’s vehicle had been weaving and struck him first—an account investigators say did not match physical evidence.
Jikany failed a field sobriety test and later registered a .144 BAC, nearly twice the legal limit. He admitted to consuming “a couple sips” of a canned cocktail and some whiskey before driving to visit a family member. Court records also show he has an open DWI case from just eight weeks prior.
If convicted, Jikany faces up to 10 years in prison. His first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
The crash remains under investigation.
