Families of the five young women killed in a car crash earlier this month are calling for an independent investigation of the incident.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) also spoke alongside the families at the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington.

CAIR Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said the families of the young women killed in the crash want the incident to be investigated by an entity from outside the state due to a state trooper’s involvement in the crash.

Together, Hussein and the family members sent a letter to Gov. Tim Walz requesting the state “engage outside counsel to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this incident.”

The letter adds that third-party should look into, but not limited to, “the role of the state trooper, the issuance of licenses, the leaked video footage of the case, and any other relevant factors.”

“Right now we have too many questions [and] not enough answers. And it’s best for us to ask for this clear investigation,” Hussein told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

He says it’ll help reach their goal of preventing something like this from happening again.

“If there’s opportunities where we can change policy in the state, the family wants to do that,” Hussein said. “We want to make sure that this incident is an incident that helps us become better.”

Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson responded to CAIR’s letter Monday, saying, “We want to see full accountability for this horrific tragedy.”

He expressed his confidence in the evidence presented to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office for bringing state and federal charges against the alleged driver, 27-year-old Derrick Thompson, and assured Hussein that the State Patrol’s involvement is under review.

“There will be a thorough review of this entire incident, from the moment the trooper’s attention was
drawn to the vehicle Mr. Thompson was driving, to his arrest after fleeing on foot,” Jacobson wrote.

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association responded to the press conference on Tuesday, saying law enforcement didn’t initiate a chase and isn’t responsible for Thompson’s actions.

“Five innocent women died, and their innocent families suffered irreparable harm, due to the exclusive actions of Derrick Thompson, a violent repeat criminal. We demand justice and accountable for his actions of over 95 mph speeding, when his car crashed into the five victims, fleeing the scene, lying to police, carrying a gun, narcotics, and more,” Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association General Counsel Imran Ali said in a statement Tuesday. “It’s disingenuous for CAIR and other groups to diminish Thompson’s actions by seeking to blame others rather than Thompson himself. Police did not initiate a chase and cannot be said—in any way—to be responsible for Thompson’s actions.”

Remembering five lives lost

The crash took the lives of 17-year-old Sabiriin Ali, 20-year-old Sahra Gesaade, 20-year-old Salma Abdikadir, 19-year-old Sagal Hersi, and 19-year-old Siham Adam.

During Monday’s news conference, family members shared their grief in the wake of the tragedy.

“Today, I stand before you . . . to honor the life of my dear cousin,” Adbulkani Odhowa said.

Odhowa struggled initially to find the words to describe losing his cousin, Hersi.

“She possessed a brilliant mind and limitless potential,” he said.

One by one, each of the victims’ families spoke of their loved ones who died in the tragic crash.

“My heart aches with an unbearable sorrow,” Sundus Mohamoud Ali, the sister of Sabiriin Ali, said.

Family members say Ali was studying to become a physician’s assistant.

“You brought an unmatched brightness into our lives, your infectious laughter, your radiant smile, your boundless energy filled every room you entered, you had a way of bringing sunshine even to the cloudiest days,” Sundus Mohamoud Ali said.

Law enforcement officials say a state trooper in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 by 46th Street in Minneapolis saw a Cadillac Escalade speeding around 10 p.m. the night of the crash. A spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety said the vehicle was driving more than 90 mph.

Minneapolis police say that before the trooper could initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle “immediately” exited the highway and ran a red light at the intersection of Lake Street and Second Avenue, where it hit the car carrying the five victims.

A criminal complaint states that Thompson then ran from the vehicle but was later arrested nearby.

“We appreciate the support of our community,” Abdullahi Farah, a Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center leader and board member, said.

Farah says the outpouring for the victims’ funeral service last week in Burnsville was the largest their mosque has ever seen.

“These were our daughters, our sisters, we will make sure that they get justice,” Farah said.

Until then, friends, families and loved ones of the five women will continue to hold close their many memories as they navigate this new, painful journey together.

“The impact you made in this world was profound, you touched the lives of so many, your memory will continue to inspire us,” Sundus Mohamoud Ali said.