Goodridge-Area Fatal Crash Case Ends in Guilty Pleas

Pennington County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A McIntosh man has pleaded guilty to three felonies tied to a deadly 2024 crash.

Justin David Shultz entered his pleas Monday, September 28, in Pennington County District Court.

The crash happened May 3, 2024, near Goodridge in rural Pennington County.

Mary Jean May, 49, of Red Lake, died in the collision.

Two passengers in May’s van, Kimberly Ann Barrett and Kiesha Barrett, suffered serious injuries.

Shultz was also hurt in the crash.

Shultz Pleads Guilty to Three Felonies

Shultz pleaded guilty to felony criminal vehicular homicide involving an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.

He also pleaded guilty to two felony criminal vehicular operation charges involving great bodily harm.

Several other charges are expected to be dismissed at sentencing.

Those charges include another homicide count, DWI, failing to stop, and expired registration.

Shultz entered the pleas on a Norgaard basis.

That plea may be used when someone lacks memory but recognizes the evidence could support a conviction.

Shultz said a severe concussion left him unable to remember the crash.

He testified that he remembered driving near 310th Avenue Northeast and Center Street.

He said he did not remember the other vehicle or whether he stopped before entering the intersection.

Shultz acknowledged that a blood test showed a 0.146 blood alcohol concentration.

Judge Tamara Yon accepted the pleas after finding sufficient evidence could support convictions.

Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for November 18.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported May drove a 2007 Chrysler Town and Country.

Shultz was driving a 2005 Buick LeSabre south on 310th Avenue Northeast.

Investigators determined Shultz failed to stop before entering the intersection.

The Buick then struck the driver’s side of May’s van.

The amended complaint says May died from blunt force injuries to her head and neck.

Kimberly Barrett suffered fractures and other injuries that required hospitalization.

Kiesha Barrett suffered a brain injury, spinal fractures, a broken clavicle, and other trauma.

She was airlifted from the crash scene for treatment.

Court records say Shultz suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a fractured jaw, and internal bleeding.

Investigators obtained a warrant for a blood sample after the crash.

The complaint says the sample showed a 0.146 alcohol concentration.

Crash reconstruction estimated Shultz was traveling about 48.5 mph before impact.

Investigators also found no recorded braking before the collision.

The complaint says phone records showed Shultz was using his phone near the crash time.

The State Patrol lists the crash in Highlanding Township, southeast of Thief River Falls.

Public court information is available through the Minnesota Court Records Online system.

The case remains pending until sentencing.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.

Goodridge-Area Fatal Crash Case Ends in Guilty Pleas