State trooper charged in Rochester car crash that killed teenager

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) – The Olmsted County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against the police officer involved in a car crash in Rochester that killed a Minnesota teenager.

Olivia Flores, 18, of Owatonna, died on May 18, just weeks before her high school graduation, in an accident at the 12th St. Southwest/Hwy. 14 entrance to Apache Mall.

Five other people, including the police officer and a passenger, were injured in the three-vehicle crash. Rochester police have been tasked with investigating the deaths.

Detectives completed the accident investigation and sent the results to the Olmsted County District Attorney’s Office last month.

Rochester Police: Officer was driving 70 km/h too fast in accident that killed Olivia Flores

In a letter released Tuesday, Olmsted County District Attorney Mark Ostrom announced that 32-year-old soldier Shane Roper is charged with second-degree manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and several counts of reckless negligence.

According to Ostrom, the Rochester Police Department’s investigation revealed that Roper was initially stationed at the Southwest 6th Street on-ramp to enforce traffic laws. He then turned on the squad’s blue lights and accelerated southbound on Highway 52 to speeds of 98 miles per hour to stop a motorist for a traffic violation.

Roper then exited Highway 52 at the Highway 14 eastbound ramp near Apache Mall and turned off his hazard lights while traveling at a high rate of speed, Ostrom said.

According to the accident investigation, Roper’s crew was traveling at an estimated speed of 133 km/h toward the intersection at the entrance to the shopping center without any blue lights visible in the 65 km/h zone. Traffic going east and west had green lights.

The investigation revealed that Roper took his foot off the accelerator just 1.4 seconds before colliding with the passenger side of the vehicle carrying Flores as it made a left turn.

According to Ostrom, the investigation also revealed that Roper drove at high speeds without warning lights at least four times on the day of the fatal accident, with a top speed of 217 km/h.

“Trooper Roper violated his duty in such a gross manner and caused the death of a young woman celebrating her upcoming high school graduation. Several other individuals sustained serious injuries. Roper’s conduct violated the core values ​​of the State Patrol. As with any other individual who drives recklessly and without regard for the most basic traffic laws, Mr. Roper’s conduct cannot be tolerated,” Ostrom wrote in the letter.

Under state sentencing guidelines, the maximum penalty for a second-degree manslaughter conviction is 10 years in prison. Roper’s first court date has not yet been set.

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