More Charges Filed for Derrick Thompson in Minneapolis Crash that Killed 5
The June 2023 crash scene. Submitted by Ashley Boldin @TechniGal_Ash
Hennepin County prosecutors have filed additional charges against a man accused of killing five women in a high-speed crash in June 2023.
Derrick John Thompson, 27, of Brooklyn Park, now faces five counts of third-degree murder in addition to the original ten counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
Thompson is accused of driving 95 mph on I-35W while evading a State Trooper. Before a traffic stop could be attempted, Thompson immediately exited the highway, then proceeded through a red light at the intersection of Lake St. & 2nd Ave. and slammed into another vehicle occupied by four adult females and one juvenile female.
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The impact killed all five women inside: Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, 20, Sahra Liban Gesaade, 20, Sagal Burhaan Hersi, 19, Siham Adan Odhowa, 19, and Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali, 17. All five were members of the Twin Cities Somali community.
Minnesota State Patrol, the Minneapolis Police Department, Metro Transit Police and the Minneapolis Fire Department responded that night and the five victims were pronounced dead at the scene,
“The senseless deaths of these five young women at the hands of Mr. Thompson has devastated their families and communities,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement, emphasizing the serious nature of the new charges. “The sad fact is that he has done this before.”
Moriarty referenced that Thompson was released from a California prison just six months before the fatal crash after fleeing from police and causing a serious injury in a similar incident. His prior convictions include felony hit-and-run resulting in injury or death, fleeing police, and multiple violations related to driving without a valid license. Thompson’s Minnesota driver’s license had been revoked in 2018, but it was reinstated in March 2023, just months before the crash.
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The original charges include five counts of criminal vehicular homicide for leaving the scene and five counts of criminal vehicular homicide for operating a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. Prosecutors say the additional third-degree murder charges reflect the seriousness of Thompson’s actions and his history of reckless behavior.
Thompson has also been indicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal possession of a firearm after officers obtained a warrant to search the wrecked SUV Thompson was driving. Near the passenger side floor, officers discovered a black leather bag containing a loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine, as well as more than 2,000 fentanyl pills among other drugs and paraphernalia.
YOUTUBE: Traffic Camera Video of This Incident
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