safety
Man sentenced for Bloomington crash that killed passenger
By Cory Knudsen at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· June 22, 2026
· 2 min read
A man charged with causing a crash that killed the passenger in his car while he was under the influence has learned his prison sentence. The crash happened in Bloomington in April 2025.
Dior Cortez Wheeler, 33, was sentenced to more than five years (61 months) in prison and must also pay over...
Key takeaway RELATED: Man charged with killing passenger in drunken Bloomington crash As previously reported, Bloomington police responded to a crash near the intersection of 86th Street East and Old Cedar Avenue on April 27, 2025.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The sentencing of Dior Cortez Wheeler to over five years in prison for the Bloomington crash that killed his passenger brings a measure of closure to the community, but also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing measures to prevent impaired driving. Wheeler's history of impaired driving offenses, including two prior incidents, suggests a pattern of behavior that was not adequately addressed by the temporary loss of his license in 2015. The fact that he was able to get behind the wheel again and cause a fatal crash is a concern for Minneapolis -St. Paul area residents who share the roads with drivers like Wheeler. As the city continues to grapple with issues of public safety, this case highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to preventing impaired driving and holding repeat offenders accountable.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A man charged with causing a crash that killed the passenger in his car while he was under the influence has learned his prison sentence. The crash happened in Bloomington in April 2025.
Dior Cortez Wheeler, 33, was sentenced to more than five years (61 months) in prison and must also pay over...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cory Knudsen at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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