Minnesota trooper charged in crash that killed an 18-year-old

ROCHESTER, Minnesota — A Minnesota police officer is facing charges in a crash that left a teenager dead and five people injured, a prosecutor announced Tuesday.

Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem said in a news release that Trooper Shane Roper, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder, criminal homicide by vehicle and other charges. Roper does not yet have an attorney listed.

The crash happened May 18 in Rochester. A criminal complaint alleges that Roper was driving without his lights or sirens on and was traveling at 83 mph (134 km/h) on a 40 mph (64 km/h) street. His police car struck a Ford Focus that was turning left in a shopping center parking lot, and those vehicles struck a Toyota Rav 4, Ostrem said.

Olivia Flores, 18, a passenger in the Ford, died hours later. Five others were seriously injured. Roper had minor injuries.

The complaint states that Roper attempted to arrest a so-called “traffic violator,” but no details are given.

“Like any other person who drives recklessly and fails to follow the most basic traffic laws, Mr. Roper’s behavior cannot be tolerated,” Ostrem said.

State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic issued a statement expressing her condolences to Flores’ family and others affected by the crash. She called the allegations “troubling” and said Roper is on paid leave while the case plays out.