‘No Justification’ for Trooper’s Speed Before Fatal Rochester Crash
Former Minnesota Trooper Shane Roper
Documents from the Minnesota State Patrol to Trooper Shane Roper about his recent firing provide additional details on his involvement in a fatal May crash in Rochester and the multiple charges he now faces.
Released to MN CRIME following an additional open records request, one document dated Sept. 3, 2024 informs Roper of his dismissal, citing multiple violations of Patrol orders and the core values of the agency.
Roper, 32, is currently facing nine criminal charges, including criminal vehicular homicide and manslaughter, stemming from the May 18 crash at the intersection of Apache Dr. & 12th St. SW.
18-year-old Olivia Flores, of Owatonna, later died and five others were seriously hurt.
The termination document says Roper's conduct leading up to the crash showed "a disregard for the State Patrol’s mission of traffic safety" and "seriously undermined his integrity and trustworthiness with the public,” according to a statement of charges document from the State Patrol obtained by KAAL-TV.
Part of a State Patrol document on Roper's termination
Roper had attempted to pull over a speeding driver on Hwy. 52 near Rochester and exited the highway onto a 40 MPH road near Apache Mall, traveling at an estimated 80 MPH without activating his emergency lights or siren.
According to the Patrol’s investigation, Roper failed to exercise good judgment and was driving recklessly before the collision. Flores died the next day, while the five others involved in the three-car collision had serious injuries.
Witnesses described Roper's squad car as entering the intersection "like a rocket" and the State Patrol's internal investigation concluded there was "no justification" for his high speed.
"Roper’s knowledge of this area made it reckless to travel through this green light at such high speeds,” Lt. Colonel Jeremy Geiger wrote.
This was not the first time Roper had been involved in an on-duty crash.
Patrol records revealed that Roper had been reprimanded on four previous occasions for reckless driving dating back to 2019. The prior discipline included two written warnings and two days of unpaid suspension.
Flores' family members say they’re planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Roper and that he shouldn’t have been on the road that night given his history of reckless driving. Roper, who is out of custody on conditional bail, pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on Aug. 29. He is due back in court in November.
The document released to MN CRIME also outlines Roper's rights to appeal his termination, including the option to request a Veterans Preference Hearing if applicable. According to the document, Roper’s dismissal is based on an internal investigation that found his actions violated the Patrol’s general orders.
The State Patrol declined to release other files related to Roper's case, citing the ongoing criminal investigation, despite MN CRIME’s repeated requests for additional records. Roper’s attorney declined to comment on the case when reached by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“Dear Trooper Roper:
This letter is to inform you of your discharge from employment as a State Trooper with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota State Patrol, effective the end of the business today, Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Your discharge from employment is based on Internal Affairs investigation supported findings that your conduct was in violation of General Orders as outlined in the Statement of Charges dated August 30, 2024, and disregarded the Mission Statement and Core Values of the State Patrol.
fI you wish to appeal the dismissal, you can elect to utilize either the contract grievance procedure of the collective bargaining agreement between the Minnesota Law Enforcement Association and the State of Minnesota or the Minn. Stat. 299D.03 statutory appeals procedure.”
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