- Olivia Flores, 18, died after a three-car crash Saturday afternoon.
- The crash involved a state trooper and occurred near a shopping center in Rochester, Minnesota.
- Flores was placed on life support but died the next day when the machine shut down.
A high school cheerleader died in a horrific accident after a state trooper crashed into her vehicle.
Olivia Flores, 18, was among a group of seven people who were rushed to the hospital after a collision involving three cars on Saturday.
Her family made the anguishing decision to take her off life support and she died Sunday, just weeks before she graduated from Owatonna High School.
The accident took place around 5:45 p.m. near the Apache shopping center in Rochester, Minnesota, closing the stretch for seven hours.
An 18-year-old high school cheerleader died in a horrific crash after a state trooper crashed into her vehicle.
Her family made the anguishing decision to take her off life support and she died Sunday, just weeks before graduating from Owatonna High School.
Flores, 18, was among a group of seven people who were rushed to the hospital after a collision involving three cars on Saturday.
“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,” family friend Michal Otte wrote in a post. GoFundMe for their parents.
‘Olivia was such a special young woman. To know her is to be inspired by her. She was fierce and loyal.
‘She was beautiful to the core. I can only say that knowing and loving her was a gift!’
High school cheerleader Olivia Flores died in a horrific accident after a state trooper crashed into her vehicle.
His father Carlos told him KIMT His daughter was an active member of the school community.
“She was very excited to graduate from Owatonna High School on June 7,” she said.
‘She was the captain of the football and basketball cheer teams and was involved in young life. She is loved by many.’
Investigators are now working to understand the full circumstances of the accident.
“Our deepest condolences are extended to the family and friends of Owatonna High School senior Olivia Flores,” Superintendent Jeff Elstad of the Owatonna County School District said in a statement.
‘There are many supports available at Owatonna High School for our students after this tragedy. Additional counselors and staff will be at the school throughout the week.
‘Students are encouraged to contact OHS staff if they need support. “If families have any concerns about their child, they should also contact staff,” they added.
The accident took place around 5:45 p.m. near the Apache shopping center in Rochester, Minnesota, closing the stretch for seven hours.
Flores was traveling in a Ford Focus with a 19-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman at the time of the accident.
State Trooper Shane Roper was turning left on Highway 14 when he crashed into the Ford, according to KSTP.
At the time, a 20-year-old passenger was traveling with him.
Colonel Christina Bogojevic of the Minnesota State Police said, ‘Ensuring motorists are safe while traveling Minnesota’s roadways is at the core of what we do every day. Our agency works hard to prevent accidents and save lives.
‘On Saturday afternoon, a Minnesota State Patrol squadron was involved in a crash in Rochester in which someone later died. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event.”