Medical examiner officially IDs 5 killed in south Minneapolis crash
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office has officially identified the five victims of a high-speed crash in south Minneapolis Friday night.
On Sunday, the medical examiner confirmed the identities previously released by the Dar Al Farooq Center: Sabiriin Ali (17), Sahra Gesaade (20), Salma Abdikadir (20), Sagal Hersi (19) and Siham Adam (17).
According to the Minneapolis Police Department, a speeding driver exiting Interstate 35W hit another vehicle at the intersection of Second Avenue and Lake Street around 10:15 p.m. The other vehicle was occupied by the five young women identified above, all of whom were killed.
The speeding driver ran off, but was caught by police. Police believe the driver may have been impaired. Authorities have not publicly identified the driver.
The examiner's report said Gesaade was driving the victims' vehicle. All of the victims died of multiple blunt force injuries, per the report.
Those who knew the five victims said they were inseparable and were out together Friday night preparing for a friend's wedding slated for Saturday.
The crash remains under investigation. As of Sunday evening, an online fundraiser for the victims' families had raised more than $300,000. The Dar Al Farooq Center will host a community prayer Monday at 2 p.m. that is open to all.
On Sunday, Minneapolis City Councilmember Jamal Osman called out law enforcement after video that shows the crash started circulating on social media.
He does not clarify why he believes the video came from law enforcement, but he says he was assured by senior officials involved in the investigation that the video would not come out until after the family had seen it.
"The dissemination of such sensitive and distressing material without proper consideration for the grieving family's privacy is deeply concerning and unacceptable," Osman said.
He also pledges to seek answers from Police Chief Brian Ohara and Mayor Jacob Frey, along with Metro Transit Police and the Public Safety team.
