Derrick Thompson Receives 58-Year Sentence for Fatal Crash Involving Five Somali-American Women

On July 24, 2025, Derrick Thompson stood before the Hennepin County Court, where the gravity of his actions weighed heavily in the air. As he listened to the judge, the moment marked the culmination of a harrowing journey that began with a tragic incident, reverberating through the Somali American community and beyond.

Thompson, a 29-year-old man, was sentenced to an extraordinary 58 years and eight months in prison for a high-speed crash in Minneapolis that claimed the lives of five vibrant Somali American women. These women were not simply statistics; they were cherished individuals, each with dreams and aspirations that promise to enrich the tapestry of their community. Their untimely deaths represented a devastating blow to one of the largest Somali diaspora communities in the United States.

Convicted last month on a staggering count of five counts of third-degree murder and ten counts of criminal vehicular homicide, Thompson received one of the longest vehicular homicide sentences in Minnesota’s history: 704 months, to be served consecutively. Under state law, this means he is likely to serve around 39 years before becoming eligible for supervised release.

The tragic events unfolded on the evening of June 16, 2023. Thompson was behind the wheel of a rented Cadillac Escalade, racing through a red light at a speed exceeding 100 miles per hour. He collided with a Honda Civic carrying five women, all of whom were occupied with joyful thoughts of an upcoming wedding. The impact was catastrophic, claiming their lives instantaneously—a moment forever etched in the collective memory of their families and community.

The victims—Sahra Gesaade, 20; Salma Abdikadir, 20; Sagal Hersi, 19; Siham Odhowa, 19; and Sabiriin Ali, 17—were not only friends but also hopeful souls preparing for the future. With henna adorning their hands and dresses waiting to be worn, they were on their way from wedding preparations. Their vibrant lives, filled with promise, were extinguished in a heartbeat, sparking national discourse on reckless driving and systemic failures in public safety.

“These were not just daughters,” reflected Marian Farah, a community leader at the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, where the women were active members. “They were scholars, volunteers, role models. What we lost is an entire future generation.” Such statements convey not just sorrow, but a profound loss that stretches far beyond the individual lives of the victims.

As emotions surged within the courtroom during the sentencing, family members delivered tearful victim impact statements that pierced through the air like arrows of grief. “We lost our five daughters, but he subjected us to even more pain,” lamented Fadumo Tingle, the mother of Sahra Gesaade. “Sitting through trial after trial, watching videos—seeing the blood of our daughters on the airbags—only to have him call it an ‘accident’ was a torment like no other.”

The ripple effects of their deaths were far-reaching. Sundus Ali, Sabiriin’s older sister, articulated the void with deep emotion: “She was everything to us. Sabiriin wanted to make the world better. That laughter is now silenced. This grief is forever.” Through their stories, the family painted a portrait of young women filled with hopes and ambitions. Sahra was on the cusp of graduating with a degree in health sciences, aspiring to be a doctor, while Salma pursued psychology and Sabiriin looked towards college applications as a new beginning. All five women were daughters of Somali immigrants who had fled war to create new lives in America.

Hennepin County Judge Carolina Lamas highlighted the justifiability of the consecutive sentences, citing Thompson’s extensive criminal history and the reckless speed of the collision as aggravating factors. Remarkably, Thompson had a previous conviction for a 2018 hit-and-run in California, where he had left a pedestrian in a coma. Released early through a firefighter inmate program, he returned to the streets, only to commit another act that would have devastating repercussions.

“Vehicles can become weapons when drivers make reckless choices,” asserted Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty following the sentencing. “This sentence ensures he cannot inflict such damage on our community again.” The weight of responsibility is enormous, and questions abound: Could this tragedy have been avoided? How do we hold individuals accountable while fostering a culture of responsibility?

As Thompson turned to address the families, he expressed an emotional apology, saying, “I made a terrible mistake. Please don’t give up on me. Please have mercy.” His pleas contrasted sharply with the pain already endured by the families, who were required to testify repeatedly, reliving the graphic details of the crash through trial after trial. Such a process, while necessary for justice, is undeniably traumatic.

A complex legal journey lay ahead. Thompson faces additional federal charges after police discovered over 2,000 fentanyl pills and a loaded handgun in his vehicle following the crash. While the federal sentence may run concurrently with the state term, a definitive agreement remains pending—adding yet another layer of anguish for the victims’ families, burdened by the constant resurgence of grief.

In a profoundly touching response to the tragedy, vigils were held across Minnesota, wherein the Somali community, often characterized by resilience and unity, sought solace and solidarity through collective mourning. Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center became a hub for memorial services and ongoing support programs for youth and grieving families. The response was not limited to the local community; it extended nationwide, igniting conversations about road safety and the importance of community accountability.

Nearly one year post-tragedy, reflections culminated at the University of Minnesota, which awarded Sahra Gesaade her bachelor’s degree posthumously—an academic milestone her sister Rukia accepted on her behalf. “She worked so hard for this moment,” Rukia shared with a poignant mix of pride and sorrow. “She wanted to save lives. And now ours are forever changed.”

In closing, this case epitomizes not merely a loss of life but also the broader systemic issues within society. It compels each of us to ask: How do we create safer communities? The lessons learned from such tragedies are imperative, as we strive toward understanding and healing, ensuring that the memories of those lost remain not just as echoes of sorrow but as beacons of change.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.