Family of teen killed in crash with state trooper retains law firm; begins its own investigation – ABC 6 News

(ABC 6 News) – The family of Olivia Flores, the Owatonna teenager killed in a car crash involving a Minnesota State Trooper, has retained a law firm to conduct its own investigation, according to Restovich Braun & Associates.

Dan McIntosh, an attorney with the Rochester firm, was in charge of the media investigations, according to the firm.

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“The Flores family has not received any information from police on the progress or status of the investigation, so we do not yet know all the elements of their investigation,” McIntosh said in an email. “We hope their investigation was thorough and professional, but we simply don't have the information at this time. In the meantime, we are collecting all possible information using the legal means at our disposal, including calling on experts to carry out an analysis of the collision scene. We certainly hope to work collaboratively with law enforcement and the County Attorney's Office and I reached out earlier this week to begin that process. We expect there to be a review of the criminal charges, but the Flores family may also have civil claims related to Olivia's death and we are working to ensure their rights to sue are protected.

The Minnesota State Patrol recently confirmed that State Trooper Shane Roper was placed on paid administrative leave following the fatal crash.

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Rochester police declined to comment on the case over the past month, or to discuss whether or not alcohol or other substances were considered possible factors in the crash.

A GoFundMe is raising money for Angelina and Katarina Bartz, the two other young women involved in the accident.

Both men suffered broken ribs and other bones, as well as other serious injuries, according to the fundraiser.