State trooper charged in fatal Rochester crash suspended twice for violating MSP policy – Post Bulletin

ROCHESTER – The Minnesota State Patrol trooper responsible for the fatal three-vehicle crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores and injured five others had already been suspended twice since 2019 for violating agency policies and procedures, according to disciplinary records obtained by the Post Bulletin.

Shane Elroy Roper, 32, of Hayfield, Minnesota, faces nine counts in Olmsted County District Court, including second-degree manslaughter, negligent homicide and driving a vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint, the accident occurred on May 18 at the intersection of Memorial Parkway and 12th Street Southwest, near Apache Mall.

Before the accident, Roper was traveling at 134 km/h in a 65 km/h zone. Witnesses told police the oncoming vehicle was “flying around” and did not see or hear any warning lights or sirens, the complaint states.

Because of the speed, Roper was unable to brake or maneuver his patrol car to avoid the collision, the investigation found. The impact caused both cars to travel eastbound through the intersection and collide with a Toyota Rav4. The criminal complaint states Roper’s vehicle was traveling “at least” 55 mph when his patrol car struck the Ford Focus in which Flores was a passenger.

Flores, of Owatonna, died as a result of the accident just days before her high school graduation. Five other people were injured.

Roper’s MSP disciplinary records show four previous accidents caused by distracted driving or excessive speed. In two of those incidents, Roper was suspended for one day, the records show.

Since 2019, Roper has violated ten MSP general orders or operating policies and procedures in four incidents prior to the fatal accident on May 18, 2024.

According to MSP Lt. Michael Lee, Roper also has a complaint pending in the internal department.

February 19, 2019: Roper crashed into another state unit

While responding to a call for help in 2019, Roper crashed into a government unit, injuring the other driver and causing significant damage to both vehicles, according to a charge sheet filed by former MSP Lt. Col. Rochelle Schrofer.

According to the statement, Roper violated three general orders, including those relating to the conduct, operation and maintenance of the patrol unit, as well as patrolling, parking and speed enforcement methods.

Disciplinary records show that he received a written reprimand and was advised that similar conduct in the future could result in further disciplinary action.

May 22, 2021: Roper collides with a vehicle after missing a stop sign

On May 22, 2021, Roper was assigned to routine patrol duty in Rochester when he was involved in a traffic accident with another motorist, according to the indictment filed by Schrofer.

The statement said Roper entered an intersection with a stop sign and failed to yield the right of way to a motorist turning left. Roper struck the other vehicle’s left rear, causing property damage to both the patrol car and the other vehicle.

Roper was not responding to calls or pursuing any suspected traffic offenders. His hazard lights and siren were not on, the statement said.

During the investigation, Roper said he did not remember seeing the stop sign or the events leading up to the accident. According to the statement, stop signs are posted on the right and left sides of the road, and a stop sign was posted 400 feet in front of the stop signs.

According to the indictment, Roper violated three general orders, including those relating to conduct, patrol and parking conduct, and patrol, operations and maintenance.

Due to disciplinary action by Schrofer, Roper was suspended for one day and had his vacation entitlement deducted.

December 29, 2021: Roper hits a deer while driving too fast

According to an indictment filed by Schrofer, Roper was assisting the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office when he struck a deer on the road, damaging his patrol car.

An investigation revealed that Roper was driving at 77 miles per hour, 22 miles per hour over the speed limit, without using his hazard lights or siren.

According to the indictment, Roper violated the patrol and parking regulations as well as the mobile data computer regulations.

According to disciplinary records, Roper received a reprimand from Schrofer.

April 10, 2023: Roper crashed into a central guardrail

A month before the fatal crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores, Roper was assigned to routine patrol duty on the Sixth Street ramp to Highway 52 in Rochester. According to the indictment filed by Christina Bogojevic, who was a lieutenant colonel with the MSP at the time and has since been promoted to chief of the agency, Roper accelerated to top speed to pass a speeding vehicle.

Traveling at over 90 miles per hour, Roper’s video camera was activated. Roper followed the suspect vehicle to the 16th Street exit, lost control of the patrol car, and veered off the left side of the roadway, striking a median barrier.

During the accident, its warning lights and sirens were not activated.

Roper said there was a “brake fade,” or an unexpected decrease in braking performance, when approaching the ramp.

The letter said he had violated two general orders, including those relating to the use of emergency vehicles and patrolling and parking.

As a disciplinary measure, Roper was suspended without pay for one day.

When asked for comment, the Minnesota State Patrol referred to Bogojevic’s July 9 comment.

“The conduct alleged in the criminal complaint is troubling and does not align with the State Patrol’s core values,” Bogojevic said in the press release. “The announcement of the charges marks the next steps in the legal process in this case. We respect that process and cannot comment further due to the ongoing criminal proceedings.”