A speeding Minnesota state trooper was going “full throttle” when he crashed head-on into the passenger side of a Ford Focus, killing a high school cheerleader just before her graduation, according to court documents.
Officer Shane Roper, 32, is accused of driving at a speed of 135mph – 99mph over the speed limit – without lights or sirens on before striking the side of a Focus on May 18.
Oliva Flores, 18, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was killed, while five others were injured but survived.
Roper was charged this week with manslaughter, homicide by vehicle and five counts of criminal operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm (gross negligence).
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Olivia Flores, 18, died May 18 in a crash involving a speeding Minnesota state trooper. (Amber Will/Amber Will Photography)
Flores’ family released a statement via a GoFundMe organizer on July 10, saying they’ve had “a lot to deal with” this week.
“It’s a whole new level of grief to know that she lost her only daughter in a car crash that was not an accident,” organizer Michael Otte said. “To say she has to go through that again is a total understatement.”
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“Accidents can be forgiven over time, but repeated gross negligence is a different story. This was 100 percent preventable.”
“The question of why will always be hanging in the air, and they’ll never get the answer.”
Olivia Flores, 18, was a high school cheerleader and hanging out with friends when she was hit and killed by a speeding state trooper in May. (Amber Will/Amber Will Photography)
“Even in that short time, it was clear she was a vibrant and kind girl,” Amber Will, who took Oliva Flores’ graduation photo, told Fox News Digital. (Amber Will/Amber Will Photography)
Flores’ death “sent shock waves through the community,” said photographer Amber Will, who provided Fox News Digital with photos of Flores, including glamorous shots of her in her cheerleading uniform and senior year photos.
“It was an honor to take Olivia’s graduation photos,” Will told Fox News Digital. “Even in that short time, it was clear that she is a vibrant, kind and very fun girl.”
“Seeing the outpouring of love and grief from our community over this tragedy is a testament to the many people who knew and loved her.”
Two of Flores’ friends were injured in the crash, as were three other people in a third car.
Olivia Flores, 18, was killed in a crash involving a state trooper in May. (Amber Will/Amber Will Photography)
Olivia Flores, 18, was a cheerleader at Owatonna High School in Minnesota. (Amber Will/Amber Will Photography)
Accusation
Flores was on his way to a shopping mall with friends when Roper, who was traveling 83 mph in a 40 mph speed zone, struck his Focus, according to the Olmsted County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Officer Roper maintained full throttle without his lights or sirens activated,” police said in a press release. “The investigation determined that Officer Roper did not ease off full throttle until the Focus began to enter the intersection, approximately 1.4 seconds before the impact.”
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“Officer Loper’s vehicle struck the Focus violently.”
Prosecutors said this was Roper’s fourth time driving above the speed limit, including on one occasion reaching a maximum speed of 135 mph.
“Olivia Flores was a very special woman. To know her was to be an inspiration. She was brave and true. She was beautiful at heart,” her family said. (Amber Will/Amber Will Photography)
A Minnesota state trooper has been charged in the death of Olivia Flores. (Amber Will/Amber Will Photography)
Restovich Brown & Associates, the law firm representing Flores’ family, said in a two-page statement that Roper “has a record of engaging in shocking, dangerous and illegal driving conduct while on the job.”
The company said Roper had been disciplined for “speeding, careless driving, or both” in four previous accidents.
The Rochester Police Department released the following statement on Facebook following the fatal accident:
Police in Rochester, Minnesota, released the information following a fatal crash involving state trooper Shane Roper, who was criminally charged in July. (Rochester, Minnesota Police Department/Facebook)
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“Officer Roper neglected his duties in this egregious manner, causing the death of a young woman who was graduating from high school,” Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem said in a statement.
“Several others were seriously injured. Mr. Roper’s actions run counter to the core values of the State Police. His actions are unacceptable, just like anyone else who drives recklessly and disregards the basic rules of the road.”
State Police Col. Kristina Bogojevich offered condolences to Flores’ family and the victims of the crash, and said Loper was on paid administrative leave pending trial over the “troubling” allegations. The Associated Press reported.
Loper’s lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.
