Driver in fiery Hiawatha crash that killed Cole Thompson gets 48-month sentence
MINNEAPOLIS — A 19-year-old woman learned her sentence Friday for a fiery Minneapolis crash that killed a man one day before his birthday last spring.
Mackenzie Lene pleaded guilty in December to one count of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of criminal vehicular operation for the March 31 crash that killed 20-year-old Cole Thompson. On Friday, a judge sentenced her to 48 months, of which 32 will be served in prison and 16 on supervised release.
The crash happened on Hiawatha Avenue near 41st Street East. Responding officers found a vehicle on fire. Thompson and another passenger, Jon Seas, were taken to Hennepin Healthcare, where Thompson died. Seas suffered third-degree burns, a concussion and broken ribs.
According to charges, the driver — later identified as Lene — and another person fled the crash. According to investigators, Thompson and a friend were drinking at a party and decided not to drink and drive and instead got into Lene's car. A witness said Lene was driving fast and aggressively before the crash.
Victims' families give impact statements
At the sentencing, family members of Thompson spoke about the impact of losing their loved one.
"Since Cole was killed, my life has completely changed," Thompson's younger brother Dylan said. "My family will never be the same. Our house is so quiet now."
Amy Lorenzen, Thompson's mother, said she was "pleading for justice for my son."
"[Lene] abandoned them in a burning car. She left them there dying without calling for help," Lorenzen said. "She had the opportunity to show a shred of humanity, to take responsibility in the moment, to call 911 and possibly save my son's life. But she chose to run."
Lorenzen was one of six people to give victim impact statements. She talked about how her son died on Easter morning and the day before his 21st birthday.
"No parent should ever have to bury their child and yet, here I am before you, pleading for justice for my son," said Lorenzen.
She talked about how Thompson's death has given his younger siblings PTSD and anxiety and changed their lives forever.
"This pain is endless and the loss is immeasurable," said Lorenzen.
Kristopher Thompson, Cole's father, asked the judge to give Lene a year in prison and more than 1,200 hours of community service.
"Before another life is lost, maimed or permanently changed by the sheer lack of consideration by this woman, please finally hold her accountable for her actions," he said.
Jon Seas also spoke in court, along with his dad, Jim. They talked about how Jon Seas has third-degree burns from the crash on 30% of his body.
"The screams, the crying, the pain and the blood are forever ingrained in my mind," said Jon Seas. "I was forced to watch my best friend's funeral from a hospital recliner, on my iPad, unable to say a proper goodbye."
Jim Seas he told his son about Cole Thompson's death, he wrote a note that said, "I tried to help him."
"At least someone tried to help Cole that night," Jim Seas said. "It certainly was not the defendant."
Family members asked the judge for a maximum sentence, pointing out Lene's previous driving violations and social media posts about drunk driving. Her attorney asked for leniency, telling the court that she has had a difficult life, with her father spending much of her childhood in prison.
Lene herself took time to apologize to the Thompson and Seas families, just before the judge sentenced her.
"He was a good friend to have. Always there for the people he cared about. I miss him every day, same as I carry the guilt of this every day," said Lene. "I'm so sorry for everyone affected by my actions."
Lene will also pay restitution to the victims and their families.
