A bicyclist who was run over while on a sidewalk and severely injured by a speeding motorist 1½ years ago in south Minneapolis has died, authorities said Tuesday.
Dennis K. Thompson, 38, of New Hope died Sunday at North Memorial Health Hospital from complications of being left a paraplegic in connection with the late-night crash on Sept. 12, 2020, on S. Cedar Avenue near E. Franklin Avenue, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office.
The driver, 30-year-old Aspen A. Burns, pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to two counts of criminal vehicular operation.
The plea agreement between the defense and the County Attorney's Office calls for a stayed prison sentence of slightly less than two years, and to serve no more than a year in jail.
Had Thompson died before the plea deal, Burns most likely would have been charged with criminal vehicular homicide, which carries the potential for a harsher sentence upon conviction.
The County Attorney's Office has declined to say what, if anything, the consequence of Thompson's death might have on the plea agreement and Burns' eventual sentence.
Judge Kerry Meyer is scheduled to decide on March 24 whether to accept the terms of the plea agreement during sentencing.
At the time of the crash, Burns was driving despite his license having been revoked, the Department of Public Safety said Wednesday. Burns has been convicted twice previously in Minnesota for driving without a valid license.
