Parents of Owatonna teen killed in crash speak out before state trooper's court hearing

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

State Trooper Shane Roper is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday. A closer look at Roper's criminal record reveals he has a history of accidents on the job.

Parents Carlos and Stephanie Flores leafed through photo albums Monday, pondering what should have been.

“She should have walked across the stage,” Carlos said. “But because of you, we had a funeral instead of a graduation party.”

May 18 started out like any other day for the Flores family until they received a notification on Life360 warning them that a crash had been detected.

“I started calling her, like, Olivia, pick up your phone, pick up your phone,” Carlos said.

They received a call that their daughter Olivia Flores had been involved in an accident involving several other cars, including a state patrol car.

“It’s unfathomable,” Stephanie said.

Olivia's injuries were severe and her family had to make the difficult decision to take her off life support.

Nearly two months later, state trooper Shane Roper was charged in her death.

“Because of your choice. You know, I can’t dance with my daughter at her wedding,” Carlos said.

Officer Roper was caught on camera driving 83 mph in a 40 mph zone without his emergency lights on. Roper's history shows this is not his first offense.

“How can someone with that background and the same issues still drive and be on the road and be someone who’s supposed to protect and serve? But you’re not. You’ve taken all your training and you’ve turned it upside down,” Stephanie asked.

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

“It amazes me that someone thought this person with four previous issues of the same subject would do well,” Stephanie said.

Private Roper is expected to make his first appearance on Thursday.

The Flores family's attorney said that even if nothing is filed, the Minnesota State Patrol as a whole could face a lawsuit.

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