State trooper charged with high-speed crash that killed teenager

Clockwise from left: Olivia Flores (GoFundMe), Shane Roper’s patrol car after the accident in which Flores died in Minnesota in May 2024. Bottom right: More scenes from the accident (KMSP/YouTube).

A Minnesota State Trooper with a previous speeding record has been charged in connection with a traffic crash that killed 18-year-old high school cheerleader Olivia Flores, who was just weeks away from graduating from high school when 32-year-old Trooper Shane Roper, driving without lights or sirens, crashed into her vehicle at 83 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Flores died and five others were injured in the May 18 crash, according to a statement released Tuesday by Olmstead County District Attorney Mark Ostrem.

Ostrem claims that in the moments immediately before the collision with Flores, Roper accelerated to full speed and turned off his lights and siren.

Roper, 32, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, negligent homicide, reckless driving and five counts of reckless driving.

According to a report by local ABC affiliate KSTP, one of the survivors of the crash recalled Roper’s car coming at them like a “rocket” as they approached the intersection of a Rochester shopping center. Witnesses initially reported that Roper was seen crashing his patrol car into a Ford Focus as it turned left and that the Focus was pushed into a nearby Toyota RAV4. Flores was in the Ford Focus with two others. There were two people in the RAV4.

Although everyone was taken to a nearby hospital, only Flores succumbed to her injuries and died.

Jenna Compton, Flores’ cheerleading coach, called the then-teenager a “shining light” in a recent interview with KSTP.

According to prosecutors, Roper has been involved in four previous crashes caused by distracted driving or speeding. In one case, investigators say, he drove over 99 miles per hour several times on the day of the accident. That included driving 217 miles per hour in a 55-mile zone to intercept a 911 call, and without his lights or siren on.

Ostrem said that a person was riding in Roper’s vehicle at the time of the May 18 accident and that person was also injured.

When Roper allegedly drove more than 40 mph over the speed limit on May 18, investigators said he was trying to catch up with another driver for a minor violation.

According to Flores’ lawyer Thomas Braun, the family has called for an independent investigation.

Minnesota State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogojevic expressed the department’s condolences and said Roper’s alleged actions were “concerning” because they “were not consistent with the State Patrol’s core values.”

“The indictment marks the next step in the judicial process in this case. We respect this process and cannot comment further due to the ongoing criminal proceedings,” Bogojevic said in a statement provided to Law&Crime.

According to the department, Roper remains on paid investigative leave in accordance with his employment contract. He is not currently in custody and has been charged by summons.

“The Minnesota State Patrol has a duty to protect the lives of all people to the greatest extent possible when enforcing the law,” Ostrem said Tuesday. “Trooper Roper violated that rule by grossly negligently attempting to catch up with a minor traffic offender on a roadway that is constantly heavily traveled. Trooper Roper violated his duty in such a gross manner and caused the death of a young woman celebrating her upcoming high school graduation. Several other individuals were seriously injured. Roper’s conduct violated the core values of the State Patrol. As with any other person who drives recklessly and without regard for basic traffic laws, Mr. Roper’s conduct cannot be tolerated.”

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