ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol now says it has closed its investigation and dismissed Shane Roper, the state trooper involved in a fatal crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores in May.
Last week, the agency said that Roper, 32, was no longer employed there but didn’t say why.
But State Patrol documents reveal an internal investigation into Roper’s actions was opened on May 18, the date of the three-vehicle crash that killed Flores and injured five others. According to the documents, Roper violated five general orders, or MSP operating policies and procedures, including oath of a Minnesota state trooper; conduct for sworn members; patrol unit, operation and maintenance; patrolling and parking; and emergency vehicle operations.
According to the statement of charges against Roper, Jeremy Geiger, the assistant chief of the State Patrol, said Roper’s actions were “reckless” and demonstrated a “clear violation” of MSP’s policies.
“Trp. Roper’s conduct has seriously undermined his integrity and trustworthiness with the public. His conduct shows a disregard for the State Patrol’s mission of traffic safety and reflects discredit upon the agency,” the state of charges said. “There is simply no justification for Trp. Roper’s decision to speed through this intersection.”
The letter of discharge, filed by Col. Christina Bogojevic, informed Roper that his last day was Sept. 3. His dismissal was reported to the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board.
Roper had previously violated 10 general orders since 2019 across four incidents before the fatal crash on May 18, 2024. His disciplinary records revealed four prior crashes caused by inattentive driving or excessive speed. In two of the incidents, Roper received a one-day suspension, records show.
Roper is now facing nine criminal charges in Olmsted County District Court, including felony counts of second-degree manslaughter, criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation. He pleaded not guilty to all nine counts on Aug. 29. His next court appearance is scheduled for November.
According to the criminal complaint, Roper quickly approached the intersection of Apache Drive Southwest, an area where the primary entry points to the Apache Mall are located. This area tends to have “very active traffic … on a typical Saturday.”
When Roper’s car was 400 feet from the intersection, the squad camera showed a green traffic signal for eastbound traffic. A larger SUV also traveling east entered the left turn lane to go onto Memorial Parkway Southwest, obstructing the view for vehicles turning onto Apache Drive Southwest, the complaint said.
A Ford Focus with three passengers was in that turn lane and attempted to drive through the intersection.
“Due to Roper’s excessive speed (traveling 83 miles per hour and at full throttle up until 1.4 seconds before impact), when the Ford Focus started through the intersection, Roper was unable to sufficiently brake or maneuver his squad car to avoid the collision,” the complaint says.
Roper’s squad car hit the passenger side of the Ford Focus while traveling at least 55 mph. The impact sent both cars east through the intersection to collide with a Toyota Rav4. There were two people in the Toyota.
Witnesses told police that the oncoming vehicle was “flying.” Witnesses did not see or hear emergency lights or a siren.
According to the complaint, the Ford Focus driver suffered a liver laceration, a bruised kidney and numerous additional minor injuries. The front passenger suffered a broken pelvis, lacerated kidney and other minor injuries. The passengers of the Toyota Rav4 suffered physical pain from the collision. In the squad car, Roper had a ride-along passenger who suffered rib bruising and multiple fractures from the crash.
Weeks after the incident, Roper confirmed to law enforcement that he was attempting to “close the gap” between his squad car and a vehicle suspected of being in violation of a traffic code, the Rochester Post Bulletin previously reported. Roper said it was not an active pursuit and that he was not paying attention to his speed, according to the criminal complaint. He told police he did believe his lights were activated.
The complaint said Roper was also found traveling at 135 mph in a 55-mph zone on May 18 in response to a medical assistance call.
“On the way to this call, he noted to his passenger that medical assistance likely would not be needed and that driving in such a manner was normal behavior for him,” the complaint said.
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