Fentanyl, Speed & 5 Deaths: 17 Years

⏱ 4 min read

Derrick John Thompson, 30, got 17 years in federal prison Wednesday for hauling fentanyl and a firearm while fleeing a crash that wiped out five young women. The carnage unfolded June 16, 2023, when Thompson, barreling north on I-35W at 95 in a 55, blew through a red light at Lake Street and 2nd Avenue South, smashing into a Honda Civic carrying the five victims.

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper spotted Thompson’s black Cadillac Escalade going full tilt and, recognizing the immediate danger, *didn’t* initiate a chase on city streets. The trooper wisely held back, but watched as Thompson recklessly swerved across four lanes to take the Lake Street exit. It wasn’t enough. Thompson ran the light at full speed. The Civic never stood a chance.

The five women inside – ages 17 to 20 – died instantly. Witnesses at the scene quickly pointed officers to Thompson, who was found cooling his heels on a curb near a local restaurant. Cops quickly tied him to the rented Cadillac, pulled from Hertz at MSP Airport just 30 minutes before the crash. A search of the Escalade turned up a black leather bag. The contents weren’t specified in the DOJ release, but Thompson was charged with fentanyl possession.

Thompson’s prior felony record sealed his fate. He’ll serve 204 months, followed by five years on supervised release. Federal prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen, successfully argued Thompson’s dangerous actions warranted a lengthy sentence. The crash wasn’t just a tragedy; it was the direct result of reckless disregard for human life, fueled by drugs and speed.