Derrick Thompson’s defense to claim someone else was driving during fatal crash
Derrick Thompson’s defense to claim someone else was driving during fatal crash 01:43
Opening statements are expected to begin Thursday in the trial of Derrick Thompson, who is accused of killing five young women in a 2023 Minneapolis crash.
Thompson, the son of a former Minnesota lawmaker, is charged with five counts of third-degree murder and 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Jury selection started Tuesday, and was complete by Thursday morning.
The June 16, 2023 crash killed five friends:
Salma Abdikadir, 20
Sabiriin Ali, 17
Sahra Gesaade, 20
Sagal Hersi, 19
Siham Odhowa, 19
Prosecutors allege Thompson drew the attention of a state trooper on Interstate 35W by driving erratically at more than 100 mph.
Before the trooper turned their emergency lights on, Thompson allegedly cut across several lanes of traffic and exited onto East Lake Street, still speeding. Surveillance cameras captured his vehicle blowing a red light and slamming into a Honda Civic with five young women inside.
Charges said Thompson then ran from the scene and was found nearby, covered in sweat and blood.
In a motion on Wednesday, Thompson informed the court he would claim an "alternative perpetrator" in his defense. WCCO confirmed Thompson's brother, who is not charged in the case, is their alleged culprit.
Thompson was convicted last fall of several federal drug-related charges in connection to the crash and received an eight-year sentence. He rejected a proposed plea deal from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office for the state charges last summer.
Thompson is the son of former Minnesota State Rep. John Thompson.
This story will be updated.
Aki Nace
Aki Nace has been a web producer for CBS Minnesota since 2019. She covers breaking news and makes short-form documentary films.