More than 58 years in prison for a Brooklyn Park man convicted of killing five women in a high speed crash in south Minneapolis.
Prosecutors say 29-year old Derrick Thompson was driving over 100 miles an hour when he exited 35W at Lake Street and pummeled the car they were in on June 16th, 2023.
Cousins and friends, the Somali-American women had been running errands together to get ready for a friend's wedding. The sentencing hearing included emotional victim impact statements from family members, including the older sister of 17-year old Sabiriin Ali, who was killed in the crash.
"Knowing that I'll never hear my sister's voice again or see her smile, all I have left is just videos and memories, it's just not fair," said Ali.
Thompson was convicted of the following charges: Five counts of third-degree murder, five counts of criminal vehicular homicide, operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, five counts of criminal vehicular homicide from a driver who causes collision and leaves the scene.
“This was as preventable as it was inexcusable," Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said after the sentencing. "Vehicles can easily become weapons when drivers make poor choices. Anyone who drives on our streets must remember their responsibility for safety in our neighborhoods.”
The five young women killed ranged in ages from 17 to 20: Sabiriin Mahamoud Ali, Siham Ada Odhowa, Sahra Liban Gesaade, Sagal Burhaan Hersi, and Salma Mohamed Abdikadir.
Prosecutors noted that Thompson’s driving conduct was egregious, particularly in light of the fact that he had previously been convicted of a similar crime in which he almost killed someone.
“Today is a day to center Salma, Sahra, Sagal, Sabiriin, and Siham and their families,” Moriarty said. “Five women were taken from their loved ones because of Mr. Thompson’s choices that night. He is being held accountable, and the length of this sentence ensures he cannot cause this type of damage to our community again.
Thompson has 767 days of credit for time already served. He was also found guilty in federal court of gun and drug charges related to the incident and will be sentenced in September on those charges.