Flores family files federal suit against Minnesota State Patrol trooper following fatal crash
Credit: GoFundMe - Remembering Olivia: Help the Flores Family
Olivia Flores’ parents filed a federal lawsuit against former Minnesota State Patrol trooper Shane Roper Wednesday.
Carlos and Stephanie Flores allege in two of the charges that Roper, facing manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide charges after striking Flores in a May 18 crash at Apache Mall, violated Olivia Flores’ 14th Amendment rights when he, while working as a state patrol trooper, deprived her of her right to life, liberty, and property.
RELATED: “She gravitated to those who needed a light”; Olivia Flores’ parents remember their daughter in first interviews since May 18 crash – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com
A third charge alleges that Roper is responsible for Olivia Flores’ wrongful death through criminal and reckless actions.
The family has requested monetary judgement against Roper for “compensatory, special, and punitive
damages together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys’ fees
under 42 U.S.C. § 1988, and pre- and post-judgment interest.”
“The Flores family continues to grieve the loss of their daughter and each additional milestone
and event without her – such as Olivia’s birthday on November 22nd, watching her cheerleading
teammates this past fall at football games, and the holiday season – brings a renewed sense of
loss,” a press release reads.
RELATED: Parents of Olivia Flores look for justice as beginning of State Trooper trial looms – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com
“The filing of this lawsuit is another important step to the Flores family seeking justice for Olivia
and accountability for the individuals and institutions whose actions and inaction led to Olivia’s
death.”
RELATED: Details of Trooper Roper’s on-duty crashes revealed in personnel file – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com
Details of the federal complaint
The federal suit details the events leading up to the crash that killed Olivia Flores and injured two other Owatonna teenagers, then details several ways in which Roper allegedly violated statutes and MSP rules.
Some of the ways include speeding without lights or sirens on into a heavily populated driving area; engaging in a pursuit with a non-sworn passenger in the car; reaching top speeds of 116 with no lights or sound while chasing another suspected speeder on Highway 52, as well as 135 mph on a rural road to Hayfield.
The suit alleges that Roper turned off all lights and sirens before the crash, then manually turned them on immediately after.
From Carlos Flores and Stephanie Flores’ federal case against Shane Roper
Later, according to the complaint, Roper said he believed his lights and siren had been active before he crashed into the car.
Rochester police who investigated Roper’s MSP car after the crash noted that the then-trooper had decorated the interior with the following:
The complaint argues that Roper’s repeated statements to RPD on scene that he “had my lights on” was knowingly untrue.
“During the interaction with fellow Troopers on May 18, 2024 shortly after the crash that
killed Ms. Flores, Defendant Roper joked, ‘this isn’t my first rodeo,'” the complaint continues.
Who was Roper chasing?
The federal complaint details Roper’s alleged reasons for speeding down Highway 52 and off the exit ramp — noting several alleged inconsistencies with Roper’s statement to police and camera footage from the incident.
“Comparing Defendant Roper’s statement to the Rochester Police Department with the other
evidence in this case, including Defendant Roper’s own body-worn camera footage and squad
camera footage, reveals that Defendant Roper’s statement was knowingly untruthful, self-serving, and unsuccessfully attempted to justify his actions after the fact,” the complaint concludes.
The latest in the Shane Roper case:
Shane Roper files motions to dismiss charges, block evidence – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com
New documents detail MSP’s internal investigation into Shane Roper – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com