A 29-year-old man from Minnesota has been sentenced to more than 58 years in prison for causing a high-speed crash in 2023 that tragically killed five young women. The driver, Derrick Thompson, was found guilty of five counts of third-degree murder and 10 counts of vehicular homicide after slamming his Cadillac Escalade into a Honda Civic.
Victims Were Between 17 and 20 Years Old
The accident claimed the lives of five young women:
Salma Mohamed Abdikadir
Sahra Liban Gesaade
Sagal Burhaan Hersi
Siham Adan Odhowa
Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali
They were all aged between 17 and 20 years. During the court hearing, their families gave emotional statements expressing their pain and anger. One victim’s sister said, “You should never know peace,” while addressing Thompson in court.
What Happened on the Night of the Crash?
The crash happened on June 16, 2023, shortly after Thompson rented a Cadillac Escalade in Minneapolis. Within minutes, he was speeding at over 110 mph, cutting across lanes and ignoring police attempts to stop him.
He exited the highway, ran a red light, and T-boned a Honda Civic at high speed. The force of the crash pushed the Civic against a bridge wall. All five young women inside died instantly.
A police officer nearby had clocked the SUV speeding at 95 mph in a 55 mph zone just before the crash but had not yet activated his lights.
Thompson Tried to Shift the Blame
At first, Thompson’s lawyers claimed his brother, Damarco Thompson, was the one driving. But during the trial, prosecutors called Damarco to testify. He told the court he only dropped Derrick at the rental car location and was not in the Escalade during the crash.
Jurors said key evidence like seat position and driver height proved that Derrick Thompson was behind the wheel.
Drugs, Weapons, and a Dangerous Past
Police found THC in Thompson’s body along with a Glock handgun, 2,000 fentanyl pills, MDMA, and cocaine inside the vehicle.
Only six months earlier, Thompson had been released from prison in California. In that earlier case, he had also crashed while running from police and had been caught with 18 pounds of marijuana and $20,000 in cash.
Denial, Then a Weak Apology
For over two years, Thompson denied he was the driver. At sentencing, he finally admitted to it, but blamed fear for his life as the reason he didn’t stop or help. He told the court, “I have been punished by God. I wish I had died in the crash.”
Prosecutors said Thompson continued to downplay his actions, refusing to take full responsibility. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the case was “as preventable as it was inexcusable.”
This heartbreaking crash was not just caused by speeding—it was the result of reckless and repeated criminal behaviour. Derrick Thompson’s long sentence brings some form of justice, but it can never bring back the lives of five young women. Their families and community have been left with deep pain. The case is a strong reminder that cars can turn deadly when drivers ignore rules, and every driver has a responsibility to protect others on the road. With this sentence, Derrick Thompson will never again pose a threat to public safety.
