Five young women, including teenagers, from Minnesota died in a car crash while preparing for the wedding of a friend.
The tragic event unfolded on Friday, June 15, when their vehicle was struck by a speeding SUV, causing immediate death to all five passengers. The deceased were identified as Sabiriin Ali, 17, Sagal Hersi, 19, Siham Adam, 19, Sahra Gesaade, 20, and Salma Abdikadir, 20. Reports revealed that the friends had spent the day shopping at the mall and getting henna decorations in preparation for their friend’s wedding the following day.
Community figureheads, like Khalid Omar from the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center, which the victims attended, emphasized the young women’s excitement for the upcoming wedding, making the loss even more devastating.
The group included three cousins and an extended family member. One had just completed high school, and the other four were attending college, all residing in Minnesota.
Authorities stated the SUV driver was speeding over 40 mph past the 55 mph limit on the highway. He sped past a red light after leaving the highway before a state trooper could stop him, colliding with the car carrying the victims. The collision’s force sent their vehicle flying around 50 feet, according to Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman.
The driver, 27-year-old Derrick John Thompson, sustained injuries but tried to escape on foot before being caught. Thompson, son of former state representative John Thompson, got his license back in March 2023 after multiple convictions for driving on a revoked or suspended license.
A digital fundraising campaign has been set up and has already raised over $300,000 to aid the bereaved families during this tough time.