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Olivia Flores

Gender : Female

Age : 18

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 05/18/2024

Location : Intersection of 12th Street SW and Apache Mall Drive

City : Rochester

County : Olmstead

State : Minnesota

Agency : Minnesota State Patrol

Officer(s) :Shane Roper

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger in bystander vehicle killed by police car crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On May 18, 2024, at approximately 5:44 p.m., Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Shane Roper observed a vehicle committing a petty traffic offense on Highway 52 near Rochester. Trooper Roper initiated a pursuit, accelerating to 98 mph with his emergency lights activated. As he exited onto 12th Street SW, he deactivated his lights and continued at high speed. Approaching the intersection with Apache Mall Drive, Trooper Roper's squad car collided with a Ford Focus making a left turn. The impact caused both vehicles to strike a Toyota RAV4. Olivia Flores, an 18-year-old passenger in the Ford Focus, suffered critical injuries and was transported to St. Marys Hospital, where she later died. Five other individuals sustained injuries of varying severity.
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Details of the Incident:
Pursuit Initiation: Trooper Roper began pursuing a vehicle for a minor traffic violation on Highway 52. He accelerated to 98 mph with emergency lights activated.
Deactivation of Emergency Lights: Upon exiting onto 12th Street SW, Trooper Roper turned off his emergency lights but continued to accelerate, reaching 83 mph in a 40 mph zone.
Collision: At the intersection of 12th Street SW and Apache Mall Drive, Trooper Roper's vehicle struck the passenger side of a Ford Focus turning left. The collision propelled both vehicles into a Toyota RAV4.
Victims: Olivia Flores, a passenger in the Ford Focus, died from blunt force injuries. Other occupants of the involved vehicles sustained injuries, including liver lacerations, broken pelvis, and bruised ribs.
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Officer's Driving History:
Investigations revealed that Trooper Roper had a history of high-speed driving without activating emergency lights. On the day of the crash, he reportedly reached speeds up to 135 mph in a 55 mph zone without lights or siren. His disciplinary records indicate involvement in four prior crashes due to inattentive driving or excessive speed.
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Legal Actions and Family's Response:
Trooper Roper was charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide. He pleaded not guilty and was subsequently terminated from the Minnesota State Patrol. Olivia Flores' family has been vocal about the incident, expressing deep grief and calling for accountability. They described Olivia as a vibrant young woman, set to graduate from Owatonna High School, who touched many lives with her kindness.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-trooper-charged-in-rochester-crash-that-killed-18-year-old-student/600279434/
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/parents-of-rochester-teen-killed-by-state-trooper-in-crash-give-first-interview-ahead-of-his-first-court-hearing/89-ccc2b4f0-ed69-4653-abc2-dce3b9365c8f
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/07/09/minnesota-state-trooper-shane-roper-faces-multiple-felony-charges-after-fatal-rochester-crash
https://www.startribune.com/state-patrol-no-justification-for-fired-troopers-reckless-driving-that-killed-owatonna-teenager/601142535/
https://www.kaaltv.com/news/top-news/second-degree-manslaughter-charges-filed-against-trooper-in-deadly-crash/
https://www.kttc.com/2024/12/12/flores-family-files-lawsuit-against-former-state-trooper-shane-roper/
https://www.kaaltv.com/news/flores-family-files-federal-suit-against-minnesota-state-patrol-trooper-following-fatal-crash/
https://www.startribune.com/owatonna-couple-speaks-out-after-a-minnesota-state-trooper-killed-their-daughter/601132929/
https://patch.com/minnesota/across-mn/graduating-teen-killed-trooper-among-6-others-injured-mn-crash
https://people.com/minn-state-trooper-charged-in-cheerleader-manslaughter-case-8676493
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/state-trooper-charged-in-high-speed-full-throttle-crash-that-killed-high-school-cheerleader-injured-5/
https://patch.com/minnesota/across-mn/mn-trooper-charged-crash-killing-teen-girl-graduate
https://patch.com/minnesota/across-mn/mn-state-trooper-fired-after-crash-killed-teen-girl