A Washington state trooper is under investigation for vehicular homicide after allegedly driving under the influence and fatally striking a 20-year-old motorcyclist while making a left turn.
Sarah Clasen, a public information officer for the Washington State Patrol, had previously urged drivers to remain attentive behind the wheel, warning about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, People reported.
On the night of March 1, Clasen was off duty in Richland. She told police she had been returning home after "picking up pizza" when she allegedly crashed into Jhoser Sanchez at an intersection, according to court documents obtained by the Tri-City Herald.
Responding officers noted signs of intoxication, stating she was reportedly "impaired at the time of crash," and that Clasen refused both a field sobriety test and a preliminary breath test. The Richland Police Department took over the investigation from the State Patrol to ensure impartiality.
Authorities arrested Clasen on March 2 and booked her into Benton County Jail on a 72-hour hold. In court documents, Clasen claimed that the crash was unavoidable, asserting that Sanchez was speeding and that she mistook his motorcycle's light for a car with a missing headlight.
However, police determined she had an unobstructed view and should have seen the motorcyclist in time to prevent the collision. Officer Steve Heid noted inconsistencies in Clasen's statements, emphasizing that the damage to her vehicle did not align with her account.
Despite objections from prosecutors, a judge released Clasen on March 3 with conditions, including a blood alcohol monitor and an ignition interlock device.
Clasen has been placed on administrative leave from the Washington State Patrol, where she served for 14 years. The ongoing investigation includes an autopsy for Sanchez scheduled for March 4.
Clasen is set to return to court on March 12, where prosecutors may formally charge her with vehicular homicide.
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