Hennepin County announces more murder charges against man who killed five in car crash

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty just announced Monday that she's adding 3rd degree murder charges against a man for killing five young women after speeding through a red light in June of last year.

Derrick John Thompson is already charged with 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide in the case in which he is accused of driving 95 miles per hour on 35W. Thompson was caught passing a State Trooper, getting off on Lake Street, running a red light and smashing into the victims vehicle at a high rate of speed.

Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, Sahra Liban Gesaade, Sagal Burhaan Hersi, Siham Adan Odhowa and Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali were killed in the crash.

“The senseless deaths of these five young women at the hands of Mr. Thompson has devastated their families and communities,” said Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.

Moriarty said just six months before the crash, Thompson was released from a California prison for fleeing police, speeding off a highway where he hit and severely injured a woman.

“His lengthy record of dangerous driving, the trail of devastation he’s left in his wake, and his conduct in this case make these more serious charges appropriate," Moriarty said in a statement. "We will continue to seek a lengthy period of incarceration to keep the community safe. Hennepin County has seen an increasing number of driving tragedies in recent months, and I urge everyone who gets behind the wheel to remember that a car can become a weapon and destroy lives in a single moment."

Thompson has been offered a plea deal and there's no word on how that is impacted by the new charges.

According to Hennepin County, Thompson has prior convictions for:

Felony evading police causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run resulting in serious bodily injury or death, and felony conspiracy.

Fleeing police in a motor vehicle and false information to police on May 7, 2018.

Numerous convictions for driving after suspension and driving after revocation. His Minnesota driver’s license was revoked in 2018 after he was convicted of fleeing police in a motor vehicle. His license was reinstated in March 2023.