An off-duty officer from Washington State allegedly struck and killed a motorcycle rider in a drunken crash while reportedly picking up pizza.
Sarah Clasen, 35, a public information officer for the Washington State Patrol, faces vehicular homicide charges in the death of Jhoser Sanchez, 20.
The crash occurred on Saturday night at the intersection of State Route 240 and Village Parkway in Richland. Clasen was driving west on SR-240 around 7:30 p.m. when she attempted to turn left onto Village Parkway. At the same time, Sanchez was traveling east on SR-240 when Clasen turned in front of his motorcycle.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene at 7:39 p.m. and found lifesaving efforts being administered to Sanchez. He was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Initially, the Washington State Patrol took responsibility for investigating the incident. However, when authorities identified Clasen as the driver, the case was handed over to the Richland Police Department to ensure transparency and impartiality.
During the investigation, officers noted inconsistencies in Clasen’s account of the crash. Authorities determined she was impaired, citing slurred speech, disorganized statements, and glassy eyes. She also refused to perform field sobriety and breath tests.
An affidavit described the aftermath, stating the motorcycle was nearly completely lodged under the front of Clasen’s SUV, which had come to a stop on the side of the highway. Officers at the scene reported detecting the smell of alcohol on her.
According to statements in the affidavit, Clasen had just picked up a pizza when the crash occurred. She claimed she saw a single light and believed it was a car with one working headlight. She also alleged that Sanchez had been speeding at the time of the collision.
After declining a breath test, Clasen allegedly told officers she was familiar with police procedures.
Her defense attorney argued in court that she was well-acquainted with the intersection and that Sanchez was traveling faster than the posted speed limit. He also stated that Clasen immediately attempted CPR on the motorcyclist, though this detail was not included in the affidavit.
He contended that Clasen had checked for oncoming traffic before making the turn and insisted the crash would not have happened if Sanchez had been traveling at a legal speed.
Following her arrest, Clasen was held in Benton County Jail on a 72-hour hold but was later released on her own recognizance. Authorities are still awaiting results from a blood alcohol concentration analysis.
The 14-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol has been placed on administrative leave.
She is scheduled to appear in court on March 12.
