Driver Charged In Crash That Killed Twin Cities Pastor

ROSEMOUNT, MN — A Minneapolis man is accused of killing a bicyclist while driving in Rosemount in October.

Trejean Derrell Curry, 26, is charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the crash that killed Fr. Dennis Dempsy, a Catholic priest.

Curry was booked into Dakota County Jail Tuesday morning and his mugshot is not yet available. His bail is $200,000 with the conditions that he isn't allowed to drive or possess firearms, he may not leave the state without approval, he can't contact the victim's family, and more.

Rosemount police responded to a call of a crash between a car and a bicyclist on County Road 42 on the afternoon of Oct. 25, according to a news release. Dempsy was pronounced dead at the scene.

A sedan was stopped in the westbound lane of County Road 42 and its windshield was smashed, police said. The driver was identified as Curry, according to authorities.

Officers asked for Curry's license, which he didn't have, police said.

Curry told officers that he was driving in the right lane when the bicyclist swerved out in front of him, according to authorities. He said he couldn't move over because a car was next to him and couldn't slam on his brakes because there was a car behind him, officials said.

The Minnesota State Patrol said they found skid marks from the sedan on the shoulder of the highway. The skid marks showed that the sedan traveled straight on the shoulder of the road before the point of impact, and then veered toward traffic again, authorities said.

At the time of the crash, Curry's license was revoked, police said.

"Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Dennis Dempsey for their great
loss," Dakota County Attorney Kathryn Keena said.

Dempsey left St. Dominic's in Northfield in 2019 to do a missions trip in Venezuela, where he had worked in the past. He then returned to Minnesota and joined Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville.

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"We learned last night that Fr. Dennis Dempsey was called home to our Heavenly Father," Church of St. Dominic shared on its Facebook page. "Father Denny was tragically killed in a bicycle accident yesterday afternoon (October 25). We know this news will be devastating to many who know and so loved him. Our hearts are broken."

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Both Keena and Dahlstrom thanked Rosemount Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and Dakota County Electronic Crimes Unit for their work in the investigation.

"This was a joint collaborative investigation that highlights the importance of public safety partnerships," Rosemount Police Chief Mike Dahlstrom said. "The Rosemount Police Department has and will continue to utilize education and enforcement to keep traffic safety as a high priority. We appreciate the relationship we have with the County Attorney’s Office and the accountability that is being brought to this tragic situation."