Five young women, including teenagers, from Minnesota died in a car crash while preparing for the wedding of a friend. 

The fatal accident occurred on Friday, June 15, in Minneapolis, when a fast-moving SUV crashed into their vehicle, immediately taking the lives of all five occupants. The victims were Sabiriin Ali, 17, Sagal Hersi, 19, Siham Adam, 19, Sahra Gesaade, 20, and Salma Abdikadir, 20. 

Reports state that the group had been participating in wedding preparations, including shopping and having henna applied in preparation for their friend’s wedding on Saturday.

Prominent community figures, including Khalid Omar from the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center which the victims attended, emphasized that the young women were eagerly anticipating the upcoming celebration, making their loss deeply tragic.

The victims included three cousins and a relative. One was a recent high school graduate, and the other four were enrolled in college, all from Minnesota.

The driver of the SUV, as reported by the authorities, was traveling around 90 mph on the highway. After leaving the highway, he ran a red light before a state trooper could intervene and he collided with the victims’ vehicle. Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman stated that the collision was so violent that it propelled their vehicle nearly 50 feet into the air.

The driver, 27-year-old Derrick John Thompson, sustained injuries but attempted to flee on foot before being captured. Thompson, whose father is former state representative John Thompson, had his license reinstated in March 2023 after multiple convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license.

An online fundraiser has been organized, which has already accumulated over $300,000 to assist the victims’ families during this challenging time.