- 2 days ago
In June 2023, Derrick Thompson caused a high-speed crash in Minneapolis that killed five young women. Exclusive bodycam footage from the night of the crash captures his initial detention as officers pieced together what just happened.
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00:07On June 16th, 2023, a Minnesota state trooper spotted a black Cadillac Escalade speeding
00:14northbound on Interstate 35W at 95 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone.
00:21As the SUV weaved recklessly through traffic, the trooper attempted to catch up.
00:27Moments later, the driver suddenly cut across multiple lanes and exited the freeway at speeds
00:33exceeding 100 miles per hour.
00:36Seconds later, the Escalade barreled through a red light and slammed into a Honda Civic in
00:41a catastrophic collision.
00:43All right.
00:44Yes, right?
00:44Yep.
00:47Open.
00:50Clear.
00:51Please, hands up!
00:52Back.
00:56Clear.
00:58Clear.
00:58Okay.
00:58Trunk.
00:59Trunk.
01:00All right.
01:01Go ahead.
01:01Open.
01:03Clear.
01:04Clear.
01:05Clear.
01:05As officers rushed toward the wreckage, they discovered the driver had fled the scene.
01:10Despite the catastrophic crash that claimed the lives of five young women instantly inside
01:15the Honda Civic, the suspect was nowhere to be found.
01:20Officers quickly secured the area and began searching for the driver as the crash quickly
01:25turned into a homicide investigation.
01:28Yes.
01:28Yes.
01:29I saw the driver.
01:30I don't think I saw the driver.
01:33Where?
01:34He ran through that Olympian t-shirt, like a gray skull cap, and some gray-green skin.
01:42It was flipping.
01:443-3-0-3, a witness is saying the suspect had fled from the vehicle.
01:47The state patrol is going after wearing a white t-shirt, gray sweatpants, and a beanie
01:53on his head.
01:53What race?
01:55Black.
01:56Ball 16.
01:57White shirt, brown pants, possibly bleeding, behind Taco Bell, coming from by the natives.
02:02White shirt, brown pants.
02:03Hey, we got a guy behind Taco Bell!
02:06What's up, blackmail?
02:07Blackmail?
02:08Blackmail!
02:08Behind Taco Bell.
02:09Behind Taco Bell.
02:10Behind Taco Bell.
02:12Everybody calm down here, okay.
02:14Uh, what about hair?
02:15Height, hair, waist?
02:17Hair is short, he got a short haircut, but you're going to see him because he's bleeding
02:20everywhere.
02:22You're going to see him because he's bleeding.
02:24He went that way?
02:25He went that way.
02:26See, Taco Bell behind Taco Bell, he was going that way.
02:28He asked me for a right.
02:29He fell on my car, asked for a right, said no.
02:31But he went that way.
02:353-4-1.
02:36You guys see anybody coming over here?
02:373-1.
02:39It was a f***.
02:41Why are you bleeding?
02:42Why are you bleeding?
02:433-0-3.
02:43I'm bleeding.
02:44Use your hands.
02:443-0-3.
02:45Why are you bleeding?
02:46I see him.
02:46For officers on scene, right now, we're supporting state patrol with that vehicle.
02:51This is an old cut.
02:53Old cut?
02:53Yeah.
02:54It looks pretty fresh.
02:55First and legs locked down.
02:56What's your name?
02:58Stand up.
02:59Stand up.
03:01Stand up.
03:01Stand up.
03:01If your squad car is not in one of your places, you can move in, please.
03:05Because you're bleeding.
03:06I'm bleeding.
03:07What's the heck I got to do with it?
03:08Did you fall?
03:08Yeah, this is an old cut, bro.
03:10It looks pretty fresh to me.
03:11This is not- This is dried up lit, bro.
03:13Okay.
03:14Hey, listen.
03:15White shirt, brown pants, it's in the description.
03:17White shirt, brown pants, it's in the description.
03:19We're just trying to make sure you're good.
03:21We're just trying to make sure you're good.
03:22Hey, what's your question?
03:24What's your question?
03:24What's your question?
03:24What's your question?
03:25What's your question?
03:26You do have fresh blood on you, bro.
03:30Yeah.
03:30Really?
03:30Yeah, that's why I called you out.
03:32Oh, okay.
03:33You have no idea how that happened?
03:35No.
03:35I fell.
03:36I slipped.
03:36You fell and slipped.
03:37Where'd you fall and slip at?
03:39I fell.
03:39I fell.
03:40I fell.
03:415th and Lake.
03:435th and Lake?
03:45Alright.
03:45Sounds good.
03:46Let's go ahead and get everybody that's not either fives or threes.
03:50Alright, man.
03:51Yeah.
03:51Yeah.
03:53White shirt, brown pants, it's in the description.
03:55I'm trying to get the state patrol guy over here.
03:56Yeah, okay.
03:57Yeah, I'm good.
03:57I'm fighting everything.
03:59I'm good, bro.
04:00Alright, boy, just relax.
04:01DeAndre right?
04:02Yeah, I'm good.
04:03Alright.
04:03My name is Louis.
04:05Yeah.
04:05My name is Louis.
04:06So, we're just gonna...
04:07You've been here a hot minute.
04:08I've been here a hot minute, bro.
04:10You literally are sweating.
04:12You have blood on your face.
04:13I know.
04:13I just got harassed by the police.
04:14I just gave y'all my ID out to the picture of me and everything.
04:17I understand.
04:17Can you just have a seat for me?
04:19Yeah, sir.
04:20I was sitting out there, sir.
04:21I was sitting out there, sir.
04:22I was sitting out there.
04:22You want to call for a state unit?
04:23So, why are you...
04:24Why are you lying?
04:25I told you.
04:26I bust my s*** right there on 5th and Lake.
04:28By then, I don't...
04:30Literally.
04:30You were running?
04:31Was I running?
04:32No.
04:33I guess.
04:33How did you bust your face?
04:35I tripped over a f***ing log like this right there behind it.
04:38How do they have f***ing pocket spots like this?
04:40I tripped over it and I f***ed it.
04:42I'm gonna have the same patrol guy come in.
04:43Oh, hi.
04:45We're just double checking, man.
04:46Yeah, ain't no problem.
04:47I have no problem with doing that.
04:49It's some bad.
04:50I know y'all doing y'all job.
04:51The cameras.
04:52Yeah.
04:53Do we have a description on the suspect?
04:56Can we get clarification for me?
04:58Is it for a suspect or is it for an article?
05:01The shots were hurting and doing this.
05:02This is the state patrol acting and...
05:05Y'all...
05:06Y'all got all s*** going on.
05:08Man, there's a lot going on.
05:09There's a lot going on right there.
05:10Y'all got shots, all type of s***.
05:14Officers returned to the witness to confirm whether the suspect was the same person she saw fleeing the scene.
05:19We have a guy...
05:22We have a guy stopped at the Taco Bell that we think that may or may not be involved.
05:28Right.
05:28I just saw this one by...
05:30Would you be willing to come look at him?
05:31Sure.
05:32Okay.
05:33Okay.
05:34306 to 303.
05:36We have an individual here in Taco Bell.
05:38We just want to confirm that this isn't the individual that the state patrol is chasing.
05:41They want to come and ID this dude real quick.
05:441371.
05:45The canine was for the suspect who potentially ran through an alley here.
05:50We have an ASR perimeter set up before we start doing a trial.
05:54306.
05:54Can I get the description of that suspect, please?
05:57Size is black now.
05:586'2 is pink honey.
06:00Just blonde, red.
06:01Brown pants.
06:02Brown pants.
06:03White t-shirt.
06:03Stop.
06:04Stand up, man.
06:04You know I ain't got no deal.
06:06Yeah, come on.
06:06I stand up, but I ain't got no...
06:07I don't have no f***ing blonde dreads, dude.
06:09We have that bell on the Taco Bell.
06:13What are you going back in your head, bro?
06:153033.
06:16We're trying to work out a state now.
06:17Oh, my God.
06:18Just hold onto that guy.
06:19We'll get someone over to check it out in a moment.
06:22Let's just put him in the squad car.
06:23Yeah.
06:24Please, sir.
06:25I don't...
06:26I don't...
06:26I don't...
06:27I don't have blonde dreads or anything, sir.
06:29Not good, but not blonde, sir.
06:31We'll check.
06:31We'll make sure.
06:32Far from blind.
06:32Thanks, my man.
06:33Yeah, it's all good.
06:34It's all good.
06:37303.
06:38I understand y'all gotta find something like this.
06:40Please don't make...
06:40Please don't make me be the guy tonight.
06:43Just face the squad here.
06:45And separate defeat me.
06:46Take a look at it.
06:47306 copies.
06:48I'll send them over.
06:50There's another guy behind.
06:52Another guy in custody.
06:53I have no idea, bro.
06:54This is a lot.
06:56I don't know if there's another one.
06:57Yeah, that don't really make no sense, bro.
07:00Blind...
07:00Look at my hair, bro.
07:01Blind hair, bro.
07:02She has blind hair, bro.
07:04You just tell us.
07:05I could slide you in your handcuffs, bro.
07:08Why does it look shaking, man?
07:10If you like...
07:11It's a handcuff, bro.
07:13It's a tight, bro.
07:14303.
07:14We're gonna get that J-bone in the third.
07:16Bro, what you saying, bro?
07:17I get it, bro.
07:19Y'all, is y'all detaining me?
07:20Yeah, you're being detained.
07:21Yeah, you're being detained.
07:22That's what I said.
07:23That's what I told you, right?
07:24Nah, but I'm saying it because you just told me that your awareness might pull up.
07:28Yep.
07:28Now you tell me you got the confirmation, man.
07:30You just gotta double-check again, right?
07:32With the...
07:34I don't wanna make y'all mad.
07:35I just wanna go home, man.
07:36I just wanna hit that spot, bro.
07:37Y'all took a picture of my IP.
07:39Y'all have everything about me.
07:40I don't understand.
07:41What is the reason of y'all still doing this?
07:44Just doing this.
07:45Ooh, .
07:48What's your leg hurt?
07:49Oh, just .
07:52Since you already talked to the first one, can you please get her information?
07:55Yeah.
07:56So...
07:56Wanna be doing another tape statement?
07:58Yes.
07:58Whoever is coming here with that suspect, the person that may or may not be the suspect,
08:03we're gonna have them look at that person.
08:04That's why we don't wanna let go.
08:06Yep.
08:06I'm gonna go make contact with our people.
08:09Yep.
08:09And I'll come back and find you to get there, okay?
08:11Okay.
08:13We're gonna...
08:14This is McDonald's right here.
08:15Yes.
08:15And we may or may not have someone in the back of a squad car that you may recognize.
08:21What, are you just gonna see me, though?
08:22No.
08:24Don't break it.
08:25You ready?
08:26Yeah, so we're gonna show up.
08:28Yep.
08:28And, uh, obviously with the lights so that they can't see who the witness is.
08:32Yep.
08:33And they can spin them around.
08:35Good?
08:36And it is gonna be hard with these handcuffs.
08:39Yeah, I hear ya.
08:40You want to talk with your feet?
08:42No, it's just...
08:42It's just hard to get out there with these handcuffs.
08:46I think you're welcome.
08:47Yep.
08:48That's not my job.
08:51All right, buddy.
08:52Walk forward, please.
08:55Keep walking.
08:57We'll go in the front of the squad car.
09:00Please tell them that this is not me.
09:02I'm 6'5".
09:03It's not hard for me to be mixed.
09:05I am 6'5".
09:06My hair is not blonde.
09:08My hair is red.
09:10Please tell them that this is not me.
09:12Okay, ma'am, so we're gonna bring up the suspect.
09:14No, possible.
09:15The possible suspect.
09:16We don't...
09:17I want you to tell me if you recognize him or not.
09:20Do you recognize them?
09:21Yeah, yeah.
09:22Gray like gray sweatpants on.
09:23White t-shirt, yep.
09:25Ma'am, I can't really hear you.
09:26Yes.
09:26He had a white t-shirt on.
09:28Do you recognize them?
09:29Yes or no?
09:30Yes.
09:30Well, it was dark, but he had a t-shirt like that on and gray and green sweatpants.
09:36So, I need a yes or no ma'am?
09:37Yes.
09:39Can you turn to...
09:40Turn.
09:43She said that's him.
09:44Ma'am, do you recognize him?
09:46That's the one I see him running through my neighbor's driveway.
09:49Yes.
09:50You see him running through your neighbor's driveway?
09:52I'm in my neighbor's yard, yeah.
09:54From where?
09:55Do you remember?
09:56From the crash.
09:57From the crash?
09:58Okay.
09:58Alright.
09:59They want me to turn again?
10:01Face this way still?
10:03Forward?
10:04Yeah.
10:05Again.
10:06Me again.
10:08Can you please tell them that this is not me?
10:11Ooh, .
10:12Ooh.
10:13What?
10:15See?
10:16Okay.
10:16He can't walk.
10:18But you 100% saw him running from the crash?
10:21Yes.
10:27Do you see how this looks?
10:29When I found you, you were sweaty like you had been running.
10:31You had blood on your face and you had blood on your hands.
10:33And that's fine.
10:35And that's fine.
10:35But I understand the protocol that you guys are going through.
10:37I understand that 100%.
10:38And I don't, I don't fuck you guys with that.
10:40So you know we're not going through all costs.
10:42I'm being patient with you guys.
10:43Okay.
10:43But come on now, bro.
10:45Handcuffs in the back of the police car, bro.
10:47I just gave y'all my ID.
10:48I gave y'all everything that y'all asking for, bro.
10:50I, I didn't do nothing for you guys to put me in the back of the police car.
10:54The police officer just came, just told y'all it wasn't me, bro.
10:58It's not me, bro.
10:59Like, I don't, y'all know this.
11:00That's why y'all already just finna walk up, because y'all know it's not me.
11:04I mean, I'm here.
11:05So we can do, we can do what we gotta do.
11:06I mean, I ain't have no, I don't have no toilet.
11:08I just, I got things that I want to do with my family, bro.
11:11I know y'all got a job that y'all gotta handle, so I'm willing to work with y'all.
11:15Please don't have me out here all night.
11:17Please don't have me out here all night.
11:19Yeah, that just looked bad, though.
11:21Do you, do you not agree?
11:22I hear you.
11:22Like, me getting out of police car.
11:24You match perfectly of the description that we're looking for.
11:26I don't, though.
11:27Y'all said brown pants.
11:29I don't have on brown pants.
11:30I mean.
11:31This is not nowhere near brown.
11:33Y'all said tan.
11:33Someone could see brown.
11:34You said tan hair.
11:36My hair, dude, my hair is blackish as red.
11:38You realize camouflage is brown for deer hunting, so you've camouflaged with fall leaves,
11:44which are brown leaves.
11:45This is tan.
11:4618 shirts.
11:47That's literally camouflage pants, man.
11:49This is tan.
11:50Have you heard?
11:51Which is a shade of brown, right?
11:53No, they said brown, like brown pants, and then they said that I had tan hair.
11:57You know how quick that happened?
11:58That's fine.
11:59I mean, at the end of the day, that's definitely fine.
12:01I know that this y'all's job that y'all gotta do, y'all gotta do.
12:04That's why I want to work with y'all.
12:04I don't want to be a or anything like that.
12:08I know how this procedure goes.
12:10I appreciate you.
12:11You have been nice to me.
12:12I appreciate you.
12:13I've been trying.
12:14I appreciate you.
12:14I appreciate you.
12:16So, is he going to be released?
12:18Nope.
12:19He's under arrest.
12:21Alright, you are under arrest.
12:24So, I'll put you back in the car.
12:26Oh my gosh.
12:28I don't have a message.
12:30Just want to give people an update here.
12:32Suspects and custody.
12:33We're going to be doing clear homicide.
12:34We have power 21 enrollment.
12:37We have power 21 enrollment.
12:38Homicide.
12:39They said homicide?
12:41Correct.
12:41For what?
12:43I can't talk to you about it bro.
12:45I thought you said there was nobody injured.
12:47There's a lot of people injured.
12:49Wow.
12:51That's sad.
12:53Uh huh.
12:54And I'm under arrest for homicide?
12:57Correct.
12:58Are you serious?
12:59Yup.
13:00I'm not lying.
13:01What the?
13:03What the?
13:04For an accident?
13:05That's what you just said that happened?
13:07I never said accident.
13:08You just said it.
13:09You said it was shooting going on and you said it was an accident.
13:12I asked you specifically.
13:13I said, is anybody hurt?
13:14You said, no.
13:15There's no one hurt.
13:16Well, that was before I was told and there's people hurt.
13:20Oh.
13:20Obviously it's a homicide now, right?
13:22He personally.
13:23He personally.
13:24That's f***ed up.
13:26That's f***ed up that people got injured.
13:28I'm f***ed up.
13:29Why are you f***ed up?
13:32My f***ing foot is f***ed up.
13:34I told you that already.
13:35Yeah, I know.
13:35I mean, f***ing might as well get medical attention.
13:38No, I know.
13:38EMS is on their way.
13:39Somebody died?
13:41That's where the homicide is, right?
13:43That's f***ing up.
13:45So how could somebody die and you not tell me no s*** like that?
13:51I was wondering why there was all these s***ing police cars out here.
13:53Didn't I tell you I didn't know?
13:55Yeah, you said you were going to be up there?
13:56Yeah, when I talked to you at Taco Park and I had no idea.
13:59Yeah.
13:59Absolutely no idea.
14:01Is there any way that I can post a bill or anything like that?
14:05I'm sure there is a way.
14:06I don't know.
14:07Once I bring people to jail, I have no idea what happens after.
14:09Is this a good job for you?
14:11I love my job.
14:12Honestly, I feel like I help a lot of people.
14:13Yeah.
14:14That's what I wanted to do as a little kid, you know?
14:16Yeah.
14:16I wanted to be a pilot.
14:18Oh.
14:18Why not?
14:19They f***ing told me I was too tired of fitting the f***ing cockpit.
14:22What?
14:23Yeah.
14:24Wow.
14:25That's crazy.
14:26Yeah.
14:26Since I'm 6'5", I can't fit the cockpit.
14:29Wow.
14:30Following the crash, Derek John Thompson was taken into custody in connection with the deaths
14:35of five young women who had been spending the evening together as they prepared for a friend's
14:39wedding.
14:40As the case moved through the courts, Thompson denied being the driver, claiming his brother
14:45was behind the wheel.
14:46But surveillance footage from the airport showed Thompson renting and driving the Cadillac Escalade
14:51before the crash.
14:53Witness testimony, vehicle data, and his own statements to hospital staff further dismantled
14:59his defense.
14:59In June 2025, a Hennepin County jury found Thompson guilty on all 15 felony counts, including
15:06five counts of third-degree murder and ten counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
15:11The following month, he was sentenced to more than 50 years in state prison.
15:15Combined with a separate 14-year federal sentence for the drugs and firearm found inside
15:20the Escalade, Thompson is expected to spend around 64 years behind bars.
15:25But for the victims' families, Thompson's apology did little to ease their grief.
15:30For over two years, he refused to take responsibility for what he did.
15:35Sitting there with that smug look on his face, zero care at all.
15:42He made it sit through two trials.
15:44He put our family through so much.
15:47I am truly sorry.
15:49There has been a burden on my back for 25 months because I wasn't able to say,
15:54I'm sorry.
15:55For exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes content, join us on Patreon.com slash Midwest Crime.
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