Five young women, including teenagers, from Minnesota died in a car crash while preparing for the wedding of a friend.
The fatal accident happened on Friday, June 15, when an SUV traveling at high speed crashed into their vehicle, instantly resulting in the death of all five women. The victims were identified as Sabiriin Ali, 17, Sagal Hersi, 19, Siham Adam, 19, Sahra Gesaade, 20, and Salma Abdikadir, 20. According to reports, the group had been engaged in wedding preparations, shopping, and having henna applied ahead of their friend’s wedding on Saturday.
Notable figures in the community, including Khalid Omar from the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center, which the victims frequented, underscored the fact that the young women were looking forward to the forthcoming celebration, rendering their loss an enormous tragedy.
The victims included three cousins and one distant relative. One had recently graduated from high school, with the remaining four in college, and all were Minnesota residents.
The SUV driver was reported by authorities to be traveling at a speed of over 40 mph above the 55 mph speed limit on the highway. After exiting the highway, he ignored a red traffic signal before a state trooper could intercept him and collided with the victims’ car. Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman confirmed that the collision was so severe that it hurled their vehicle approximately 50 feet.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Derrick John Thompson, sustained injuries but attempted to escape on foot before being apprehended. Thompson, the son of former state representative John Thompson, had his license restored in March 2023 following multiple convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
An online fundraising initiative has been launched, which has already raised over $300,000 to support the grieving families during this challenging period.
