Minneapolis Car Crash: Hit-and-run Suspect That Killed 5 Women Jailed

Derrick John Thompson, a man who was previously imprisoned in California for a hit-and-run conviction, remained in jail awaiting charges after a tragic Minneapolis car crash that claimed the lives of five young women, AP reports.

The incident occurred when Thompson, driving at high speed, passed a state trooper, ran a red light, and collided with the victim's car.

Thompson, 27, was evaluated at a hospital and subsequently booked into the Hennepin County Jail on Monday following the crash.

The victims, Salma Abdikadir, Siham Adam, Sabiriin Ali, Sahra Gesaade, and Sagal Hersi, were all between the ages of 17 and 20.

Records from California courts indicate that Thompson was released from prison earlier this year after serving part of an eight-year sentence for a hit-and-run offense in 2018 that caused severe injuries to a woman in Montecito, California.

Minnesota court records also reveal that he had been convicted twice for evading police in his home state. Whether Thompson has legal representation is still being determined, as jail records do not indicate such information.

Minneapolis Car Crash Suspect Allegedly Rented the Car Involved in the Incident

It was revealed that the alleged driver had rented a car shortly before the collision, according to a search warrant filed on the night of the crash that resulted in the death of five young women in south Minneapolis, according to KSTP.

The warrant states that a Minnesota state trooper detected a Cadillac Escalade traveling at 95 mph on Interstate 35W at 10:09 pm. The trooper observed the Cadillac change lanes from the far left to the right side of the highway to take the exit at 31st Street.

The Cadillac continued at high speed through the intersection at 31st Street, proceeded onto Lake Street via Second Avenue, ran a red light, and collided with the driver's side of a Honda Civic. The five victims inside the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.

After the tragic Minneapolis car crash, the alleged driver, Thompson, fled the scene and was found at a nearby Taco Bell. He was sweaty, out of breath, and had sustained injuries, including a broken hip and a head laceration.

A rental agreement discovered on the floor of the Cadillac indicated that Thompson had rented the vehicle from Hertz at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 9:46 pm, just 23 minutes before the state trooper observed him speeding on I-35W. Additionally, a bag containing suspected marijuana was found inside the vehicle.

Minneapolis Car Crash Suspect Has Valid Driver's License Despite Hit-And-Run History

Barely three years after serving time in prison for a hit-and-run crash that caused permanent injury to a pedestrian in California, the man accused of causing a fatal collision in Minneapolis had his driving privileges restored in Minnesota, StarTribune noted.

Thompson was sentenced in February 2020 for a hit-and-run crash during a police pursuit near Santa Barbara, California, in 2018. The collision caused severe injuries to a 58-year-old woman from North Carolina, who went into a coma and sustained permanent injuries.

During the investigation, law enforcement discovered over 17 pounds of marijuana and over $20,000 in cash in the rental car involved in the crash.

Thompson was initially sentenced to eight years in prison, but factors such as the requirement to serve 85% of the term and receiving credit for time spent in jail before sentencing resulted in a reduced prison time of about 5.5 years. Additionally, a statewide ballot proposal passed in 2016 granted prison officials the authority to award additional custody credits and early parole opportunities, potentially contributing to Thompson's early release.

Thompson was released from prison on January 19, 2023, according to California corrections officials.

Derrick John Thompson is the son of former state Representative John Thompson of St. Paul.

In addition to the severe crash in California, Thompson's criminal record in Minnesota includes various driving-related offenses, such as driving with illicit drugs, speeding, operating a vehicle with unsafe equipment, fleeing police in a car, driving without insurance, and multiple convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Minnesota does not have a provision for a lifetime ban on driver's licenses, regardless of the severity or frequency of offenses, except in cases of life imprisonment.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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