Trooper Charged in Death of MN Teen Woman Now Being Sued by Her Family

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The family of the Owatonna teenager killed in a Rochester traffic crash earlier this year is suing the former Minnesota state trooper charged in her death. 

See Also: Car Stolen in Rochester Backs into Home, Suspect Arrested at Gunpoint 

Olivia Flores was 18 when she lost her life at the intersection of Hwy. 14 and Memorial Pkwy. Southwest near Apache Mall. 

Flores was riding in a vehicle that was hit by a State Patrol Squad car driven by former Trooper Shane Roper on the evening of May 18. 

About a month and a half after the crash occurred, Roper was charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminal vehicular homicide, reckless driving and several counts of criminal vehicular operation. 

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The charges against the 32-year-old Hayfield man allege he was speeding at more than 80 mph in his State Patrol squad car without the emergency lights activated when he collided with the vehicle Flores was riding in. 

State Patrol records also indicate Roper had been involved in four other crashes while driving a State Patrol vehicle and received a one day suspension for one of the incidents. 

Roper was fired from the State Patrol following an internal investigation in September. 

Federal Lawsuit: Ex MN State Trooper Violated Civil Rights, Caused Wrongful Death of Owatonna High School Senior in Deadly Rochester Crash

The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court on Wednesday, alleges that Roper violated Flore’s 14th Amendment rights and claims he caused the young woman’s wrongful death. 

The suit is seeking compensation for damages suffered by the Flores family and for attorney fees. 

Roper’s next court appearance in the criminal case is scheduled to happen in February. 

In October, Roper’s defense filed a motion requesting a change of venue and the dismissal of all but the reckless driving charge filed against him.

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