Driver convicted of killing 5 women while speeding from cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Derrick Thompson (KARE/YouTube).

Jurors in the Minnesota trial of a driver accused of crashing into another vehicle, resulting in the deaths of five young women, were uncertain about the defendant’s responsibility until the prosecution presented an unexpected witness: the defendant’s brother.

Derrick Thompson was charged with five counts of third-degree murder and 10 counts of vehicular homicide due to the fatal accident in 2023. After renting a Cadillac Escalade in the Minneapolis area, Thompson rapidly accelerated to 95 mph, maneuvering recklessly through traffic. Upon leaving the highway, he sped through a red light and collided with a Honda Civic, which led to the immediate death of the women inside.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Thompson’s defense claimed it was his brother, Damarco Thompson, at the wheel of the Escalade since his sibling’s hat and car keys were found in the vehicle. Prosecutors later issued a sudden subpoena demanding the brother’s testimony. On the witness stand, Damarco asserted he wasn’t inside the Escalade with Derrick Thompson. Instead, he recounted driving his brother to the rental location for vehicle pickup and then following in his Dodge Challenger until Derrick started speeding off, as per a courtroom report from the Sahan Journal.

Damarco Thompson’s testimony was key to getting his brother convicted, juror Lucas Sundelius told local NBC affiliate KARE after the verdict.

“A lot of the questions [he answered] helped clear up the fact that they had multiple sets of keys for the Challenger,” Sundelius said. “Having him testify was extremely helpful.”

More from Law&Crime: ‘Continued to deny’: Alleged wrong-way Tesla driver who killed cop insisted to investigators he was not in crash despite strong evidence to the contrary

Another key aspect of the testimony was seeing the height difference between the brothers, according to Sundelius. The defendant was much taller than his brother and jurors noted the driver’s seat in the Escalade was pulled back.

“When we saw that we were like ‘OK we think it’s him rather than his brother,”” Sundelius told the TV station.

As a result, the jury convicted Derrick Thompson on all 15 counts in the deaths of Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, Sahra Liban Gesaade, Sagal Burhaan Hersi, Siham Adan Odhowa, and Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali. The victims were between 17 and 20 years old.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Woman Confesses to Fatal Insulin Injection of 81-Year-Old Mother

Left: Kelly Moore (Tygart Valley Regional Jail). Right: Ethel Moore (Bartlett Funeral…

“Officials Report Idaho Sniper’s Surprise Attack: Two Firefighters Killed, One Injured”

In northern Idaho’s rugged landscape, two firefighters lost their lives and another…

Newspaper Challenges Trump’s ‘Litigation Tactics’

President Donald Trump listens during a briefing with the media, Friday, June…

Arrest made in Meridian patient assault case

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Devon Lashaun Dukes, 24, was taken into…

Man Alters Plea in Case of Baby’s Fatal ‘Severe Impact’

Michael Mayor (Miami County Sheriff”s Office). An Ohio man who pleaded not…

Delay in Release for Abrego Garcia Due to Deportation Uncertainty

Left: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who resided in Maryland before…

Judge Cautions Trump Administration Against Any Acts of ‘Retaliation’

Background: In the White House briefing room on June 27, 2025, President…

How Trump’s Justice Department Could Uncover Sources of Iran Strike Reports

Left: President-elect Donald Trump appears on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Dec.…

Man Found Guilty in Shooting of Newlywed Couple at Bar

Thomas A. Routt Jr. (Elkhorn Police), Gina and Emerson Weingart, and the…

Judges of the 5th Circuit Intensely Question Lawyers in Alien Enemies Act Case

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a press briefing with Elon Musk…

Father Assaults 9-Year-Old Son for Napping on Couch: Police Report

Inset: Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore (Oakland County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Edith Street in…

Police: Woman Discovered Hidden in Box Inside Husband’s Truck

Background: News coverage at the location in Montour Township, Pa., where Katlyn…