Derrick John Thompson Convicted on All 15 Charges Connected to a 2023 Fatal High Speed Crash

(KNSI) — A Hennepin County jury has found Derrick John Thompson guilty on all 15 charges against him.

Thompson is accused of causing a high speed crash after running a red light on a Minneapolis street and slamming into a car, killing all five women inside. He was charged with ten counts of criminal vehicular homicide and five counts of third degree murder. Thompson rejected a plea deal that would have spared him life in prison. He may now receive consecutive sentences for each of the victims. The maximum sentence for criminal vehicular homicide in Minnesota is ten years in prison. Third degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors painted a picture of a careless Thompson, including footage after the crash, saying his Friday night was “ruined.” Thompson’s attorneys attacked the investigation, presenting evidence that it could have been DeMarco Thompson who was driving that night. His baseball cap, car keys and cell phone were all found in the Escalade.

Deliberations in the case took two days.

According to court records, in June of 2023, a state trooper saw Thompson’s rented Cadillac Escalade traveling south on Interstate 35W at a high rate of speed, and weaving before cutting across all lanes of traffic and abruptly exiting the freeway at Lake Street in the busy Uptown neighborhood. When Thompson took the exit, he had accelerated to 116 miles an hour. The trooper said Thompson was going so fast, he didn’t have time to turn on his lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop.

Five women had left a session where they had all gotten henna done in preparation for a friend’s wedding, which was the next day, when Thompson ran a red light and t-boned their Honda Civic. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner identified the five victims as 20-year-old Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, 17-year-old Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali, 20-year-old Sahra Liban Gesaade, 19-year-old Sagal Burhaan Hersi, and 19-year-old Siham Adan Odhowa.

After the crash, Thompson fled the scene, but was picked up at a restaurant nearby after bystanders called the police. He was found sitting on the curb in the parking lot and had injuries consistent with being in a car accident. He was bleeding from a laceration on his forehead, had blood on his hands and clothing, and was sweating profusely. Investigators asked about how he got hurt, and Thompson initially told officers, “I cut myself. This is old. This is an old cut.” Police pressed him, saying his injuries looked recent. Thompson then told officers that he was injured when he “fell” earlier in the night.

Sentencing will be set for a later date. After the verdict was read, the jury was handed a list of questions asking if Thompson should be considered for aggravated sentencing, meaning he could receive a higher than normal sentence in the case, to which the jury answered “yes” on all questions.

Thompson has a prior felony conviction from a 2018 hit-and-run while fleeing police in California. In that case, the victim was left in a coma for several months and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Thompson also allegedly fled the scene of that crash. Police say they found 17 pounds of marijuana and $20,000 in cash in the trunk of the car. Thompson was tracked down in St. Paul and taken into custody. He pled guilty in Santa Barbara County court and was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2020, but was released early.

We contacted the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for information about how Thompson obtained a Minnesota driver’s license. Our calls and emails were not returned.

He has already been convicted on federal gun and drug charges. Court records say a search of the Escalade turned up a black leather bag on the front passenger side floor containing a loaded gun with an extended magazine, more than 2,000 blue “M-Box 30” fentanyl pills, 14 grams of fentanyl powder, and a baggie with 35 grams of cocaine. Testing showed Thompson’s DNA was on the firearm, the fentanyl powder, and the cocaine.

Because Thompson has multiple prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

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

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