• 911 dispatcher Jenna Bixby was killed Saturday night in a drunk driving crash
  • Police say retired pastor Richard Shaka had been driving the wrong way on the highway in Minneapolis
  • They smelled alcohol on Shaka's breath when they arrived to the crash scene
  • The driver was hospitalized in critical condition. He will likely be charged with criminal vehicular homicide
  • Loved ones to both Bixby and Shaka spoke out about the shocking tragedy after
  • Bixby's husband, Dan, found out his wife had died over the scanner in their 
911 dispatcher Jenna Bixby, 30, (pictured) was killed Saturday night in a drunk driving crash
911 dispatcher Jenna Bixby, 30, (pictured) was killed
Saturday night in a drunk driving crash
911 dispatcher Jenna Bixby, 30, (pictured) was killed Saturday night in a drunk driving crash. A 911 dispatcher was killed in a drunk driving crash brought on by a church pastor Saturday night in Minnesota.

Police say Jenna Bixby, 30, was traveling to work around 8pm when Richard Shaka, 72, was driving the wrong way on Highway 252 in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis and collided into her car.

Officers immediately smelled alcohol on Shaka's breath when they arrived to the scene.

The driver, a retired All Nations Christian Assembly pastor, was hospitalized. He is in critical condition.

Family, friends and colleagues to both Bixby and Shaka spoke about the shocking tragedy after.

Bixby's heartbroken husband, Dan, told CBS Minnesota he already knew something horrible happened to his wife when state troopers knocked on his door.

Her husband said just moments prior, he heard about the crash over the scanner inside their home.
'She loved helping other people, that's why she was working in 911 dispatch,' husband Dan told the news station.
Police say retired pastor Richard Shaka, 72, (pictured) was driving the wrong way on a highway in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Police say retired pastor Richard Shaka, 72, (pictured) was driving the wrong way on a highway in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Police say retired pastor Richard Shaka, 72, (pictured) was driving the wrong way on a highway in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Shaka was driving the wrong way on Highway 252 in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis and collided into her car
Shaka was driving the wrong way on Highway 252 in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis and collided into her car

'She was on her way to work to help other people, to answer these types of calls for car accidents and anything else that — other emergencies that people need help with.'

The pastor now leading All Nations Christian Assembly, Baba Letang, expressed his disbelief over the news.

'This is sad,' Letang told CBS Minnesota. 'I can't believe it.'
Pastor Letang said he was dismayed over the tragedy and unaware Shaka drank alcohol.

Bixby's husband Dan said his wife 'loved helping other people' in a statement after the tragedy
Bixby's husband Dan said his wife 'loved helping other people' in a statement after the tragedy
Bixby is pictured above with her husband Dan on Instagram. Dan sadly heard about the crash over the scanner in their home
Bixby is pictured above with her husband Dan on Instagram. Dan sadly heard about the crash over the scanner in their home

'I mean you mentioning it, I can't believe that alcohol would be an issue here,' he said. 
'He was the one who started this church, brought so many people together over the years. He's touched a lot of lives, including my own life.

'Our prayers are with both Pastor Shaka but especially with the family that is grieving right now,' Pastor Letang added.

Police say retired pastor Shaka will likely be charged with criminal vehicular homicide
Police say retired pastor Shaka will likely be charged with criminal vehicular homicide

Pastor Letang said he was dismayed over the tragedy and also unaware Shaka drank alcohol
Pastor Letang said he was dismayed over the tragedy and also unaware Shaka drank alcohol

The driver, a retired All Nations Christian Assembly (church shown) pastor, was hospitalized and in critical condition
The driver, a retired All Nations Christian Assembly (church shown) pastor, was hospitalized and in critical condition

911 Director Heather Hunt also issued a statement on behalf of Bixby's colleagues at Minneapolis Emergency Communications.

'Our staff at Minneapolis Emergency Communications is shocked and saddened to lose our teammate Jenna Bixby... she was dedicated to helping others and was taken from us on her way to do just that,' Hunt's statement read.

'Jenna worked at 911 for the past three years as a dispatcher, a communications training officer who coached and developed new employees, and a member of our Community Outreach and Education Team, volunteering at community events including fundraisers for Special Olympics.

'Jenna embodies the caring, dedication and compassion that are the hallmarks of exceptional public service. She will be greatly missed.'

Police say Shaka will likely be charged with criminal vehicular homicide.