“Minneapolis Man Pleads Guilty in Crash That Killed Rev. Dennis Dempsey in Rosemount”

Accident – death – Obituary News :

Trejean Curry Pleads Guilty in Fatal Bicycle Crash

HASTINGS, Minn. — A tragic accident in Rosemount, Minnesota, resulted in the death of Reverend Dennis Dempsey, who was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a vehicle. Trejean Derrell Curry, a 28-year-old Minneapolis man, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal vehicular homicide for his role in the crash. The incident occurred on October 25, 2021, and Curry was arrested at the scene.

Prosecutors stated that Curry was driving in a “grossly negligent manner” when he hit Rev. Dempsey, who was the lead pastor at the Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville. The County Attorney, Kathy Keena, expressed her condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Dempsey and emphasized the importance of drivers giving their full attention to the road.

Curry was initially taken into custody at the intersection of County Road 42 and 145th Street West in Rosemount, where it was discovered that he was driving with a revoked license. He was released from jail two days later pending the results of the investigation, including crash reconstruction data from the Minnesota State Patrol.

According to court documents, both Curry and Rev. Dempsey were traveling west on the north shoulder of County Road 42 when the fatal collision occurred. Crash reconstruction analysis revealed two tire skid marks from Curry’s vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway leading up to the point of impact. The skid marks then veered left towards traffic just before the collision.

Further investigation into Curry’s phone found that its screen was activated and an outgoing text message was sent shortly before the crash. The message read, “Just got in an accident biker got in the way.” However, the blood sample taken from Curry did not show the presence of alcohol or drugs.

Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Curry on March 17, once their preliminary investigation was complete. In his statement to the police, Curry claimed that Rev. Dempsey had swerved in front of him from the north side of the shoulder and into the traffic lane. He stated that he was unable to move over due to a car next to him and couldn’t stop because there was another vehicle behind him.

Increased Awareness for Road Safety

The tragic death of Rev. Dennis Dempsey serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of driver attentiveness and road safety. County Attorney Kathy Keena stated, “Father Dempsey’s death serves as yet another tragic and painful reminder as to why it’s so extremely important for drivers to give their full attention to the road when they get behind the wheel.”

This incident highlights the need for drivers to prioritize their focus on the road, especially when sharing it with vulnerable road users such as cyclists. The devastating consequences of a momentary lapse in attention can result in the loss of a life, leaving families and communities shattered.

Conclusion

Trejean Curry’s guilty plea in the fatal bicycle crash that claimed the life of Rev. Dennis Dempsey brings some closure to the tragic incident. However, it also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the need for increased road safety awareness.

As communities continue to mourn the loss of Reverend Dempsey, it is crucial that this incident sparks conversations and actions that prioritize the safety of all road users. By learning from tragedies like this and promoting responsible driving habits, we can work towards preventing similar incidents in the future.

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