A trooper from the state's law enforcement division is under scrutiny for allegedly taking the life of a cheerleader on the brink of graduation. He is no longer associated with the organization.
Shane Roper, age 32, is currently dealing with numerous felony accusations due to an accident on May 18 that led to Olivia Flores' tragic demise and left others injured.
Back in August, Roper, a former state trooper, pleaded not guilty to a variety of felony charges including second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide, as previously reported by CNN.
After a thorough examination of Roper's disciplinary file, it was discovered that he was involved in four previous crashes while driving his Minnesota State Patrol squad car, either due to negligent driving or excessive speed, according to the affidavit.
Following the May accident, Roper was put on paid leave, as confirmed by Minnesota State Patrol Chief Col. Christina Bogojevic.
Lt. Mike Lee of the Minnesota State Patrol informed CNN on Saturday that Roper's final day of employment at the Department of Public Safety/Minnesota State Patrol was on September 3.
CNN has requested access to Roper's personnel records related to discipline, in an attempt to clarify whether he was terminated.
Community Grieves Over Loss
Olivia, a captain on the cheerleading squad at Owatonna High School, was highly valued as a daughter, sister, and teammate. Her loss resonated deeply within her community.
"She should have had the opportunity to walk across the stage," said Carlos Flores, Olivia's father, while wearing a homemade bracelet bearing the letters "LLO," which stands for "Long Live Olivia." "Because of you, (Roper), we organized a funeral instead of a graduation party."
"Because of your choice, I am denied the chance to dance with my daughter at her wedding."
Owatonna Huskies cheerleaders organized several events, including a dinner and silent auction, to commemorate their teammate and assist the Flores family financially.
"We are heartbroken to bid farewell to our Olivia," the Owatonna Huskies Cheerleading team wrote on Facebook. "She was an exceptional cheerleader, friend, and individual who touched countless lives. Our lives will be forever changed by her light."
A GoFundMe was created to support the Flores family during their period of grief.
CNN’s Alaa Elassar and Sara Smart contributed to this report.
The Flores family and the Owatonna community are deeply affected by Olivia's loss, as expressed by Carlos Flores, who mentioned missing his daughter's graduation and wedding due to the tragic accident. (Us) The Owatonna Huskies Cheerleading team shared their grief on Facebook, stating that Olivia had touched countless lives and her loss would leave a lasting impact. (Us)
