ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC/Gray News) – The family of Olivia Flores, an 18-year-old cheerleader killed in a May crash, is filing charges against Shane Roper, the former Minnesota State Police trooper involved in the accident.
Roper, who was enforcing traffic along a highway exit ramp on May 18, faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, criminal vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and careless driving. According to reports, Roper was traveling at speeds of 80 to 98 mph when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a Ford Focus. The impact sent both vehicles into a Toyota Rav4. Flores, a passenger in the Ford Focus, was killed in the crash.
Flores’ family has filed a civil lawsuit against Roper, claiming he violated their daughter’s constitutional rights and was directly responsible for her death. The lawsuit accuses Roper of “deliberate indifference” and consciously disregarding the risk he created through reckless driving.
Attorney Dan McIntosh, representing the Flores family, emphasized that the family is committed to pursuing justice. “It’s one that the family feels strongly about, and we’re going to pursue this to the best of our abilities,” McIntosh said.
Roper is set to return to court in February, with his trial scheduled for March 31, 2025.