PHOTO: GOFUNDME
A Minnesota law enforcement official has been charged with manslaughter following the tragic death of high school cheerleader Olivia Flores, who was celebrating a friend’s birthday when she was killed. Olivia Flores, 18, lost her life in a “fatal crash” in Rochester, Minn., on May 18, as confirmed by Rochester police in a Facebook post on May 20. The incident also left her friends injured.
Trooper Shane Roper of the Minnesota State Patrol, involved in the crash, now faces charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide, as announced by the Olmsted County Attorney’s office on Tuesday, July 9.
Roper collided with a Ford Focus outside a mall while attempting to pursue a “traffic violator.” According to Olmsted County officials, Roper “turned off his emergency lights and sirens and accelerated to full throttle,” exceeding twice the posted speed limit. The investigation revealed that “Trooper Roper’s vehicle violently impacted the Focus.”
Flores’ friends, 21-year-old Angelina Bartz and 19-year-old Katarina Bartz were also injured in the crash. Additionally, Roper’s ride-along passenger and two passengers in a third car involved were hurt.
The group was enjoying a “fun outing for Katarina’s birthday” when the tragic event occurred, as described in a GoFundMe set up for the Bartz sisters. Flores was on the brink of graduating, and her family was preparing for her celebration, shared in a separate GoFundMe organized for her family.
“Instead of planning Olivia’s graduation party and celebrating her next chapter in life, Steph and Carlos are left picking up the pieces of this tragedy,” the family’s fundraiser stated. Flores is remembered as a “special young lady” who was fierce and loyal. “To know her is to be inspired by her,” read a heartfelt tribute on the GoFundMe page, adding, “She was beautiful down to her soul.”
As a cheerleader for the Owatonna High School Huskies, Flores left a significant impact. “She touched many lives and our lives will forever be changed by her brightening them,” the team expressed in a tribute shared on Facebook.
The team has since rallied to support fundraising events “to help her family out and keep her name alive,” as evident in another Facebook post. It is not immediately clear if Roper has entered pleas or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. The investigation into the tragic incident continues, leaving a community grieving the loss of a vibrant young life.
