RICHLAND, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol trooper arrested for her involvement in a fatal crash over the weekend appeared in court on Monday.
Court documents revealed new details about the deadly crash between 35-year-old off-duty WSP trooper, Sarah Clasen, and a motorist on Saturday.
The probable cause statement disclosed in court on Monday said Clasen was on her way home, driving west on SR-240 on March 1.
When she attempted to turn left on Village Parkway, Clasen hit 20-year-old Josher Sanchez who was riding his motorcycle east on SR-240.
Sanchez later died of his injuries at the hospital.
Upon realizing Clasen was a WSP trooper, the investigation of the case was handed over from Washington State Patrol to Richland Police Department.
According to the probable cause statement, RPD officers found several inconsistencies with Clasen’s account of the crash.
She also declined a field sobriety test and a breath test.
RPD officers said Clasen had slurred speech, disorganized statements and glassy eyes and she was determined to be impaired at the time of the crash.
Clasen was arrested and booked into the Benton County Jail on a 72-hour hold for Vehicular Manslaughter. Investigators obtained a search warrant for a blood sample from Clasen that is undergoing testing.
Clasen was released from jail on Monday afternoon. She has been placed on administrative leave by WSP.
The Benton County Prosecutor’s Office said it intends to request a special prosecutor to oversee the case to ensure impartiality.
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