RICHLAND, Wash. — A Washington State Patrol trooper has been charged with vehicular homicide following a crash that killed a 20-year-old man.
Trooper Sarah Clasen, 13-year veteran of WSP, is accused of causing the fatal collision on March 1, 2025, while off-duty in her personal vehicle. The crash occurred when Clasen was turning left from State Route 240 into Village Parkway in the Horn Rapids area, colliding with the motorcycle of Jhoser Sanchez.
Investigators reported that Clasen claimed she was traveling around 20 mph and suggested Sanchez had struck her. However, evidence indicated that her SUV impacted Sanchez's motorcycle on the front right side. Authorities confirmed Sanchez was traveling at 53 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Emergency responders attempted to revive Sanchez, who suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Clasen reportedly declined to discuss whether she had been drinking, but a subsequent investigation revealed she had spent nearly four hours at a local bar prior to the incident.
Lab results later indicated Clasen's blood alcohol content was .17, over twice the legal limit.
The Benton County Prosecutor's office has referred the case to Spokane County due to a conflict of interest. Clasen has been on administrative leave since the crash and is scheduled for an arraignment hearing later in September.