A Minnesota state trooper has been criminally charged for causing a three-vehicle crash that killed a high school cheerleader and injured five others just two weeks before graduation.
At approximately 5:45 p.m. on May 18, Officer Shane Roper of the Minnesota State Police was involved in a traffic accident. The 32-year-old officer was reportedly T-shaped into the passenger side of a Ford Focus traveling at “full throttle” at an intersection in Rochester, Minnesota.
The Olmsted County Prosecutor’s Office said Roper collided with a Focus at 83 mph in a 40 mph speed limit zone.
“Officer Roper was traveling at full speed without his lights or siren on,” police said in a statement. press release“The investigation determined that Officer Roper did not release full throttle until the Focus was entering the intersection approximately 1.4 seconds prior to impact. Officer Roper’s vehicle struck the Focus violently.”
The Ford Focus was being driven by Angelina Bartz, 21, and her passengers were Katarina Bartz, 19, and Olivia Flores, 18. The friends had gone on a “fun outing to celebrate Katarina’s birthday” and were heading to the mall when the crash occurred, police said. GoFundMe Established for the Barth Sisters.
Flores was killed in the crash and died from his injuries the day after the accident, the release said. statement According to the Rochester Police Department.
Angelina reportedly suffered fractured ribs, a traumatic brain injury, a bruised liver, lacerated kidneys, sprained wrists and fingers, whiplash and extensive bruising, while Catalina suffered a shattered pelvis requiring surgery, fractured ribs, a traumatic brain injury and severe bruising.
A third vehicle, a Toyota RAV4, was also involved in the crash, with two passengers reportedly injured.
A passenger in Roper’s patrol car was also injured, police said.
The law firm Restovich Brown & Associates, which represents Flores’ family, said Roper “has a record of engaging in shocking, dangerous and unlawful driving conduct while on the job.”
The company argued that Roper had been disciplined for “excessive speeding, careless driving, or both” in four previous accidents.
“Officer Roper neglected his duties in this egregious manner, causing the death of a young woman who was about to graduate from high school and severely injuring several others. Officer Roper’s actions are contrary to the core values of the State Police. Like anyone who drives recklessly and ignores the basic rules of the road, Officer Roper’s actions will not be tolerated,” Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem said in a statement.
According to reports, Officer Roper was traveling at a maximum speed of 135 mph (99 mph over the speed limit) without his emergency lights or siren on in one of four speeding violations before crashing into the side of the Focus on May 18.
On July 9, the Olmsted County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Roper had been charged with second-degree manslaughter and homicide by vehicle in connection with her death. statement.
Flores was a cheerleader for the Owatonna High School Huskies and was set to graduate in two weeks.
another GoFundMe A Flores family source said of her parents, “Instead of planning Olivia’s graduation party and celebrating a new chapter in her life, Steph and Carlos are just picking up the pieces from this tragedy.”
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