Parents of Owatonna teenager killed in car crash speak out before State Police court hearing

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) — The family of Olivia Flores is preparing to face the police officer charged in the May car crash that killed her.

State Trooper Shane Roper's first court date is scheduled for this Thursday. A closer look at Roper's record shows that he has already caused several accidents while on duty.

Parents Carlos and Stephanie Flores flipped through photo albums on Monday and thought about what should have been.

“It was supposed to go ahead,” Carlos said. “But because of you, we planned a funeral instead of her graduation.”

May 18 started out like any other for the Flores family until they received a notification on Life360 that an accident had been detected.

“I started calling them, like, 'Hand over your phone, pick up your phone,'” Carlos said.

They received a call informing them that their daughter, Olivia Flores, was involved in an accident involving several other cars, including a state police patrol car.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Stephanie.

Olivia had severe injuries and her family faced the difficult decision to stop life support.

Nearly two months later, State Trooper Shane Roper was charged in her death.

“Because of your decision. You know, I'm not allowed to dance with my daughter at her wedding,” Carlos said.

Trooper Roper was filmed driving 83 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone without his hazard lights on. Roper's history shows that this was not his first offense.

“How can someone who has so many similar issues still drive and be on the road and be someone who is supposed to protect and serve? But you don't. You've turned your entire training around,” Stephanie asked.

Olivia's family is currently dealing with a wave of emotions.

“It blows my mind that someone thought, yeah, this person who has experienced the same thing four times in the past will be OK,” Stephanie said.

Trooper Roper's first appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

The Flores family's attorney said that while no charges have been filed yet, the Minnesota State Patrol as a whole could face legal action.

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