Minnesota police officer charged in mall crash that killed teen – NBC Chicago

A Minnesota state police officer is facing charges in connection with a traffic accident that left a teenager dead and five people injured outside a Rochester shopping center, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

Olmsted County District Attorney Mark Ostrem said in a news release that Trooper Shane Roper, 32, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and other charges. Roper does not yet have an attorney on file.

The crash occurred in Rochester on May 18. A criminal complaint says Roper was driving without his hazard lights or siren on and reached speeds of 83 mph on a road where the speed limit is 40 mph. His patrol car collided with a Ford Focus that was turning left into a shopping center parking lot, and those two vehicles collided with a Toyota Rav 4, Ostrem said.

Olivia Flores, 18, a passenger in the Ford, died hours later. Five other people suffered serious injuries. Roper suffered minor injuries.

The complaint stated that Roper, who was also “along the ride,” was attempting to catch a “traffic offender,” but no details were given.

The driver of the Ford Focus struck by Roper’s patrol car described the speed of the vehicle as “a rocket” in a criminal complaint obtained by NBC affiliate KARE 11. Other witnesses described the speed as “flying,” “in a split second” and “with a jolt.”

“Like any other person who drives recklessly and without regard for basic traffic laws, Mr. Roper’s conduct cannot be tolerated,” Ostrem said.

According to KARE 11, Roper told officers he was trying to “close the gap” between his force and the pursued vehicle, but said it was not an “active pursuit.” He added that he was not paying attention to his speed and thought his hazard lights were on.

State Patrol Lt. Col. Christina Bogojevic expressed condolences to Flores’ family and others affected by the crash in a statement. She called the allegations “troubling” and said Roper was on paid leave while the case was heard.