Attorney who represented Derek Chauvin will represent state trooper charged in Rochester fatal crash

Jul. 17—ROCHESTER — The defense attorney who represented Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the officer convicted in the murder of George Floyd, is representing the Minnesota state trooper involved in the Rochester fatal crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores.

Eric Nelson of Halberg Criminal Defense submitted a certificate of representation for Shane Elroy Roper on July 10. According to court records, Nelson was the lead defense attorney representing Chauvin.

Roper, 32, of Hayfield, Minnesota, is facing nine criminal charges in Olmsted County District Court, including felony counts of second-degree manslaughter, criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation.

According to the certificate of representation, Nelson will represent Roper on second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide charges.

The crash happened on May 18 at the intersection of Memorial Parkway and 12th Street Southwest, near the Apache Mall.

Before the crash, Roper was traveling 83 mph in a 40-mph zone, the complaint says. Witnesses told police that the oncoming vehicle was "flying" and said they did not see or hear emergency lights or a siren, according to the complaint.

Due to the speed, Roper was unable to brake or maneuver his squad car to avoid the collision, the investigation found. The impact sent both cars eastbound through the intersection to collide with a Toyota Rav4. A search warrant in the case said Roper's vehicle was traveling 70 mph when his squad car struck the Ford Focus that Flores was a passenger in.

Flores, of Owatonna, died as a result of the crash days away from her high school graduation. Five others were injured.