Trial Begins for Derrick Thompson in Minneapolis Crash Killing 5 Women

Derrick Thompson, son of a former Minnesota state lawmaker, is on trial for a June 2023 high-speed crash in Minneapolis that killed five young Somali American women. Thompson is charged with 15 felonies, including five counts of third-degree murder and 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide, after allegedly speeding on Interstate 35W, running a red light on Lake Street, and crashing into a Honda Civic carrying the victims. The victims were close friends preparing for a wedding and were prominent members of their community, with thousands attending their funeral at the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center. Thompson fled the scene but was arrested nearby, and authorities found a loaded gun and drugs in his rented SUV. He was convicted in federal court on related gun and drug charges prior to this trial and rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 32-year sentence. The trial began with jury selection and is expected to last several weeks, drawing significant attention due to the tragedy's impact on Minnesota's Somali and Muslim communities.