ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC/Gray News) – The family of an 18-year-old cheerleader killed in a crash in May is filing charges against the former Minnesota State Police trooper involved in the accident.
Shane Roper faces several charges after the death of Olivia Flores, an Owatonna High School senior who was killed in the crash near Apache Mall in Rochester on May 18.
According to KTTC, Roper was enforcing traffic along a highway exit ramp when he left the highway and T-boned a Ford Focus which had pulled into an intersection, with the momentum crashing both vehicles into a Toyota Rav4.
Flores had been a passenger of the Ford Focus.
Reports said Roper had reached speeds ranging from 80 to 98 miles per hour just before the crash.
The charges he faces include one count of second-degree manslaughter, one count of criminal vehicular homicide, five charges of criminal vehicular operation, one charge of reckless driving and one charge of careless driving.
On Thursday, Restovich Braun & Associates, the law firm retained by Flores’ family, announced their decision to pursue civil action against the former state trooper.
According to a letter sent by the law firm, the Flores family filed a lawsuit against Roper, claiming he “violated their daughter Olivia’s constitutional rights and wrongfully caused her death.”
“It’s one that the family feels strongly about, and we’re going to pursue this to the best of our abilities,” Attorney Dan McIntosh said.
The complaint for the lawsuit states “defendant Roper saw and appreciated that there were other vehicles and occupants in the area, and he consciously disregarded the risk he created by his shocking driving conduct.”
“The core of this is that there was a deliberate indifference by Mr. Roper to the danger of causing that loss to Olivia,” McIntosh said.
Roper pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced when he appeared in court on Aug. 29.
KTTC reports Roper has a history of being involved in crashes while on the job.
Flores’ parents are seeking compensation for the loss of their daughter, although they know nothing can bring her back.
“It’s still a lot of ups and downs for them and they miss her every day,” McIntosh said.
Roper is due back in court in February. His trial for the crash is set for March 31, 2025.
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