Trooper Shane Roper of the Minnesota State Patrol faces liabilities of killing and vehicular homicide after supposedly driving dangerously, without lights or sirens, and causing the death of 18-year-old Olivia Flores in a crash in Rochester in May, according to Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem.
State Trooper's Fatal Rochester Crash Kills 18-Year-Old
The liabilities, including second-degree killing and criminal vehicular homicide, were filed against Roper on Tuesday. The fatal accident happened around 5:44 p.m. on May 18 near a mall in Rochester, with Roper reportedly traveling at 83 mph in a 40-mph zone just before the circumstances.
Ostrem said that Trooper Roper's serious failure in duty resulted in the deadly passing of a young woman who was expecting her high school graduation.
Roper, aged 32, was on duty and had stopped on a highway entrance ramp for traffic enforcement. He then accelerated after observing what was described as a minor traffic violation, as per an affidavit by a Rochester police officer included in the criminal complaint.
Exiting the highway, Roper accelerated to 83 mph in a 40-mph zone heading eastbound on 12th Street SW toward an intersection leading to the Apache Mall, according to police documents.
Authorities reported that as Roper and a Ford Focus, traveling in the opposite direction with a green light, both attempted to turn left toward the mall, Roper collided with the passenger side of the Focus.
Flores, seated in the back of the Focus, tragically succumbed to her injuries. Ostrem, the prosecuting attorney, emphasized that Roper's high-speed driving in a busy area for a minor traffic offense constituted "grossly negligent behavior."
Witnesses recorded that Roper's vehicle was speeding considerably, with no mention of sirens or lights, according to police statements.
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Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Charged with Manslaughter
The criminal accusation and a declaration by Olmsted County do not determine the nature of the "petty traffic offense." In an affidavit, a Rochester police officer noted that Roper claimed his lights were activated.
"He stated he tried to clear the intersection before entering," the officer wrote, adding that a large SUV in the same lane as Roper partially obscured the view of the left-turn lane where the Ford Focus was located.
Efforts to contact Roper on Tuesday evening were unsuccessful. Court records did not list an attorney for him, and his initial court appearance was set for August 29.
The Minnesota State Patrol did not promptly reply to a request for comment Tuesday evening. Per a patrol spokesperson, Roper is currently on paid leave.
Roper is accused of second-degree killing, one instance of criminal vehicular homicide, and five counts of criminal vehicular operation, in addition to charges of reckless and careless driving. Second-degree killing carries a highest sentence of 10 years.
Chief of the Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic conveyed condolences to Olivia Flores' family and others affected by the deadly crash, highlighting that the alleged conduct characterized in the criminal accusation is troubling and contrary to the State Patrol's core values.
Roper is presently on paid administrative leave, according to the troopers' employment agreement.
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