OHS senior killed in crash ahead of graduation

The Owatonna community is in mourning following a three-vehicle crash involving a State Patrol squad in Rochester on Saturday. 

According to police, 18-year-old Olivia Flores, a senior at Owatonna High School, died from her injuries Sunday. The crash happened outside of Apache Mall at Memorial Parkway SW and 12th Street SW, police said.

“It is with broken hearts we have to say goodbye to our Olivia. She was such an amazing cheerleader, friend and person,” the Owatonna High School Cheer Program stated in a Facebook post. “She touched many lives, and our lives will forever be changed from her brightening them.”

The crash occurred ahead of Owatonna High School’s graduation on June 7. Flores was a member of the senior class. 

The school district released a statement Monday morning:

“Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Olivia Flores, a senior at Owatonna High School. Many supports are available at Owatonna High School for our students following this tragedy. Additional counselors and staff will be at the school throughout the week. Students are encouraged to reach out to OHS staff should they need support. If families have any concerns about their child, they should also reach out to the staff.”

On Saturday, High School Cheer Coach Jenna Compton, who coached Flores since she was in the third grade, first found out about the crash, and that Flores was involved. 

“You kind of don’t really believe it,” she said. 

As Compton received updates from the family, the prognosis became worse, and soon it became news no one wanted to hear. 

“It doesn’t feel real,” she said. 

Along with Compton, her teammate Mariah Cuellar has known Flores since their time cheering together in the third grade. This past year, they became closer, Cuellar said, due to the two of them being captains of the cheer team for both football and basketball.

When she found out on Saturday night about the crash, her first reaction was to be hopeful.

 “Tomorrow she will probably be better,” Cuellar remembered thinking. 

But then Sunday came, and she remembers her mom waking her up to let her know that she didn’t think she would make it. She would pass away a few hours later. 

“It was a long day with emotions,” Cuellar said about Sunday. 

On Sunday, Cuellar, along with her other teammates, spent the day together, remembering her laugh, the joy she brought to every room, and one character trait often brought up by those who knew her: being a dependable person. 

“She was basically my rock through the last year,” Cuellar said. 

Crash investigation

Flores was a passenger in a Ford Focus, according to a release from the Rochester Police Department.  

In addition to Flores, other occupants included:

 • Trooper Shane Roper (driver, State Patrol squad) age 32, Rochester District Office, transported to St. Marys with unknown injuries.

• Peter Meyer (ride-along passenger, State Patrol squad), age 20, Zumbrota, transported to St Marys with unknown injuries.

• Angelina Bartz (driver, Ford Focus), age 21, Owatonna, transported to St. Marys with unknown injuries.

• Katarina Bartz (passenger, Ford Focus), age 19, Owatonna, transported to St. Marys with unknown injuries.

• Emie Pasco (driver, Toyota RAV4), age 36, Owatonna, minor injuries, not transported.

• Gabriella Parker, Owatonna (passenger, Toyota RAV4), age 12, Owatonna, minor injuries, not transported.

The release stated that the police department’s Forensic Mapping Unit responded to the scene and is working to determine what happened.

“Preliminary information indicates the State Patrol squad was traveling east on 12^th Street SW. The Ford Focus was traveling west on 12^th Street SW and turning south into Apache Mall,” police said. “The vehicles collided, and the Ford Focus was pushed into the Toyota RAV4, which was leaving Apache Mall and waiting to turn east on 12^th Street SW. The Toyota RAV4 ended up in the ditch.”

Rochester Police is the lead agency in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Go Fund Me Page 

A Go Fund Me Page was created earlier this week to help raise funds for the family. 

“We have set up a go fund me account to help support the Flores family in this very difficult time,” the Go Fund Me page stated. “Olivia’s life was cut short due to injuries she sustained in a tragic car accident.”

The Go Fund Me page said, “The amazing team of doctors and nurses did everything they could to save Olivia. But unfortunately, she did not survive.” 

“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,” the Go Fund Me page stated. 

As of Monday afternoon, over $17,000 was raised. 

Those interested in donating can do so by visiting https://gofund.me/362e94cb.