Cheerleader Olivia Flores was about to graduate. Instead, her family planned her funeral [View all]
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/02/us/minnesota-trooper-shane-roper-manslaughter
The familys shock quickly turned into anger as they learned a Minnesota state trooper with a history of driving misconduct, including four previous on-duty crashes, had allegedly been responsible for the crash that killed Olivia, just weeks before she was set to walk the stage of her high school graduation.
Shane Roper, 32, is facing multiple felony charges including second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide, according to a criminal complaint filed in July. Roper is also facing three felony counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm and multiple misdemeanors, according to the complaint.
Roper pleaded not guilty on Thursday to all criminal charges related to the May 18 accident that claimed Olivias life and injured others, according to Minnesota court records.
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Roper said he was attempting to close the gap between his car and another vehicle he suspected of being in violation of the traffic code, according to the complaint, citing a statement Roper provided to law enforcement. He said he was not paying attention to his speed, and thought his emergency lights were activated. He also said he attempted to clear the intersection before driving through it, the complaint said.
Protecting and serving.