Highway 7 crash: Driver to be charged in crash involving seriously injured Hopkins student

Crash on Highway 7: Driver faces trial

The Minnesota trial of Mohamed Aydarus Salad begins Monday in Hennepin County. If convicted of driving, the 29-year-old could spend five years behind bars after prosecutors say he caused a crash in March.

(FOX9) – Hennepin County took place on Monday trial of Minnesota vs. Mohamed Aydarus Salad starts.

If convicted of driving, the 29-year-old could spend five years behind bars after prosecutors say he caused a crash in March.

On March 5, Lauren Olson turned left at the intersection of Highway 7 and Williston Road her vehicle had a wide side. Investigators say Salad was driving on the shoulder of the road, traveling at a speed of 90 miles per hour, just five seconds before the crash, while running a red light.

His driver’s license was revoked at the time, after more than a dozen previous collisions with the police.

Charges filed in crash that injured Hopkins teen

Charges have been filed in connection with a violent crash that left Hopkins teen Lauren Olson in the hospital for weeks. The charges came five months after the crash occurred, and according to court records, the alleged driver had a suspended driver’s license and was going nearly 100 miles per hour just before the collision.

Personal injury attorney Michael Bryant — who is not involved in the case — says an extensive driving history can be hidden from jurors.

“You can’t have someone convicted because of things in the past,” Bryant told FOX 9 on Sunday. “You have to be convicted of this crime, so sometimes they let things in, and sometimes they don’t, because they’re so similar that they don’t want the jury to convict of those things.”

After the crash, Olson was in a coma for a week, suffering broken bones and severe traumatic brain injuries during a month-long hospital stay. A GoFundMe campaign raised $82,000 for the teen. However, Bryant says public support should be kept out of the courtroom.

“They’ll say to the people in the crowd, you can’t have outbursts, you can’t react to things, you can’t get emotional, because the jury shouldn’t be influenced by things that happen outside the actual witness stand or the evidence that they see,” said Bryant. He expects the process to take about a week.

“Sometimes the goal is to get the best deal possible for the person,” Bryant finished.