On May 18, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Rochester, Minnesota, leading to the death of 18-year-old Olivia Flores. The fatal crash involved former Minnesota State Trooper Shane Roper, who was on duty at the time and faced multiple speeding incidents earlier in his shift. The crash resulted in a federal lawsuit filed by Flores’ parents against Roper, alleging the violation of their daughter’s constitutional rights and wrongful death. The lawsuit highlights serious discrepancies in Roper’s account of events, raising pressing questions about his conduct as a law enforcement officer.
The lawsuit disclosed that Roper’s shift began at 2 p.m., primarily focused on speed enforcement patrols. Throughout the next few hours, Roper repeatedly exceeded safe speed limits, as evidenced by body camera footage, which remains confidential currently due to ongoing investigations. Notably, just 30 minutes before the crash, Roper was observed accelerating to substantial speeds, including 116 mph while pursuing potential traffic violators. At no time did he activate his emergency lights or siren during several high-speed incidents, which raises concerns about his adherence to protocol and public safety expectations.
As the tragic crash unfolded at around 5:45 p.m., Roper was reported to be driving at 83 mph in a 40 mph zone. Multiple witnesses noted the lack of visible emergency lights or sirens prior to the collision, contradicting Roper’s later claims. Following the collision, which occurred at the intersection of 12th Street Southwest and Apache Drive Southwest, Roper’s testimony continued to reflect inaccuracies. He initially stated to police that he had his emergency lights activated before impact, a claim not supported by body camera footage from the incident.
Key to the lawsuit are Roper’s contradictory statements regarding his prior actions, particularly surrounding the white sedan he pursued. He indicated the vehicle was speeding and weaving through traffic, but both his squad camera and body-worn camera footage failed to substantiate these claims. Instead, witnesses and digital evidence portrayed a different sequence of events, calling into question Roper’s commitment to factual representation in the face of the accident.
Moreover, Roper’s post-crash behavior created additional controversy. Just after the collision, footage depicted him activating both lights and sirens, contradicting his earlier assertion about their status pre-collision. His comments to fellow troopers, including remarks about the crash being “not his first rodeo,” have raised concerns about his accountability and professionalism during a critical and tragic moment. This reference suggested a dismissive attitude toward the gravity of the situation and the effect of his actions on Flores’ family.
Overall, the case illustrates serious misjudgments by Roper that ultimately led to a devastating consequence — the untimely death of a young woman. As the legal process unfolds, questions remain about the assessment of Roper’s actions on that fateful day and the broader implications regarding law enforcement accountability. Roper currently faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter and various counts of vehicular homicide. The upcoming court dates, alongside the ongoing lawsuit, emphasize the ongoing pursuit of justice for Olivia Flores and her family as they navigate the repercussions of this tragic event.