Sarah Clasen Washington State Patrol trooper vocal advocate for responsible driving charged with DUI vehicular homicide after hitting and killing motorcyclist while driving in her private car, off duty. Glamarous police officer is allowed bail despite Richland protester’s objections.
A ‘glamorous’ Washington State Patrol trooper and a vocal advocate for responsible driving has been arrested for DUI vehicular homicide after the off duty cop allegedly hit and killed a motorcyclist with her car.
Sarah Clasen, 35, a public information officer for the Washington State Patrol turned herself in on Monday following the fatal crash which took place in Richland, Saturday night.
The trooper’s arrest follows Clasen being previously vocal for urging local drivers to remain attentive behind the wheel only to now find herself charged with DUI vehicular homicide.
WSP trooper released on her own recognizance against prosecutor’s request
The trooper was taken into custody by the Richland Police Department for vehicular homicide with suspicion of DUI. The off duty officer was scheduled to be held at Benton County jail for 72 hours as per the Richland Police Department’s felony hold for vehicular homicide, KOMO News reported.
Nevertheless in a turn around, Benton County Superior Court Judge Diana Ruff elected to release WSP Trooper Sarah Clasen on her own recognizance, against the request of Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger, saying she is confident Clasen will make her court dates.
The Richland Police Dept will be leading an independent investigation into the alleged DUI crash.
As part of her release, Clasen is required to wear a blood alcohol monitor bracelet and install an ignition interlock device on her car.
The motorcyclist, identified as Jhoser Sanchez by Benton County Chief Deputy Coroner Dennis Morris, was pronounced dead at Kadlec Regional Medical Center Emergency Department just after 8:35 p.m. Saturday.
WSP trooper reeked of alcohol
In an affidavit obtained by the Tri-City Herald, Richland Police Officer Steve Heid claimed Clasen smelled of alcohol when he questioned her about the collision.
He detailed how Clasen claimed she was on her way home after picking up pizza from Domino’s and was making a left turn into the neighborhood.
She allegedly said she saw a single light, presumably from the motorcycle, but believed it was a car missing a headlight.
It wasn’t until she made her turn that she felt the collision, which she said seemed to have come out of nowhere, according to the affidavit.
‘Sarah told me that the motorcyclist was definitely going faster than the posted speed limit,’ Heid wrote, noting that the damage to Clasen’s SUV did not align with her story.
The officer went on to write that he believed Clasen had an unobstructed view of oncoming traffic and ‘an attentive driver would have been able to see the motorcyclist prior to the collision.’
When he then asked Clasen to perform sobriety tests or submit to a breathalyzer test, she refused.
When Heid asked her a second time, Clasen allegedly said she ‘knows how it works.’
Clasen was placed on administrative leave during an on-going investigation.
Clasen is a 14-year veteran of the WSP who was assigned to the Yakima field office.
‘The Washington State Patrol offers our sincerest condolences to the victim and their loved ones,’ said WSP Chief Batiste. ‘I have every confidence that the Richland Police Department will investigate this case with great care and professionalism.’
Clasen is scheduled to appear next in court on March 12th.
