Derrick Thompson offered plea deal in Minneapolis crash that killed five Somali women
Wednesday August 28, 2024
Prosecutors weigh plea deal for Derrick Thompson after crash that shook Minneapolis Somali community
Minneapolis, MN (HOL) — Derrick Thompson, the son of a former Minnesota state representative, is facing a potential plea deal after being charged with causing a devastating car crash that killed five young Somali women in south Minneapolis last summer. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office revealed the offer during a pretrial hearing on Tuesday.
Thompson, 28, who has a history of dangerous driving and criminal behaviour, faces five counts of criminal vehicular homicide for the fatal collision. Prosecutors have proposed a prison term between 32½ and nearly 39 years in exchange for a guilty plea, while dismissing five additional counts related to grossly negligent operation of a vehicle. Thompson has until November 4 to accept the plea, with trial proceedings set for December 2.
The charges stem from a crash on June 16, 2023, when Thompson was driving a black Cadillac Escalade at 95 mph in a 55-mph zone when he exited Interstate 35W, ran a red light at Lake Street and Second Avenue, and collided with a Honda Civic carrying five young Somali American women. The crash left no survivors.
After the collision, Thompson fled the scene, bleeding from his injuries, and was later found at a nearby Taco Bell, where police arrested him.
Investigators suspect Thompson may have been impaired, though toxicology reports are pending. Additionally, law enforcement recovered a Glock 40 calibre semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine and a considerable quantity of fentanyl from Thompson's vehicle.
All five victims— Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, 20; Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali, 17; Sahra Liban Gesaade, 20; Sagal Burhaan Hersi, 19; and Siham Adan Odhowa, 19, were all cherished members of the local Somali and Muslim communities. On the day of the tragic crash, they were returning home from Karmel Mall, where they had spent the day preparing for a friend's wedding, including shopping and applying henna.
Salma and Sabiriin, in particular, were educators at the mosque, with Salma teaching Qur'an and Islamic studies to elementary-age children and Sabiriin known for her diligent caretaking of the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center building. Sahra Liban Gesaade, 20, was a third-year student at the University of Minnesota's Rochester campus, actively involved in her local community and mosque. Sagal Burhaan Hersi, 19, attended Minneapolis Community and Technical College and contributed to the Islamic Center and her local community through various initiatives. Siham Adan Odhowa, also 19, was a student at the University of Minnesota and regularly participated in mosque activities and community service.
The crash has deeply shaken the Somali community in Minnesota. Thousands gathered to mourn these women, their funeral one of the largest public outpourings of grief in Minnesota's history. The heat of that day was unbearable, both literally and figuratively, with 13 people hospitalized during the burial at the Garden of Eden Islamic Cemetery in Burnsville. A Launch Good campaign for the families raised $458,280 of $500,000 USD goal.
As the Somali American community grappled with this tragic loss, many are questioning how a driver with a history of dangerous behaviour was allowed back on the road. Thompson's criminal history includes a 2018 conviction in California for a hit-and-run that left a woman in a coma. His vehicle was later found with over 17 pounds of marijuana and $20,000 in cash. Thompson was sentenced to eight years in prison but was released early in 2023 under unclear circumstances. At the time of the Minneapolis crash, Thompson was on probation, and his driver's license—revoked due to the California conviction—was reinstated just three months before the fatal incident.
