RICHLAND, Wash. – Charges have yet to be filed in court against the off-duty Washington State Patrol Trooper accused of killing a 20-year-old in a drunken driving crash on State Route 240 and Village Parkway in Richland.
Sarah Clasen remains free from custody, a month after the March 1 crash, despite her toxicology report from the Washington State Crime and Laboratory Services showing a blood alcohol level of 0.17, more than twice the legal limit.
Benton County Coroner Bill Leach confirmed that Jhoser Sanchez had no alcohol or intoxicants in his system when he was struck and killed.
Body camera footage of the arrest shows Clasen recounted her actions before the crash, explaining she was driving home after picking up a Domino’s pizza. She said she was making a left turn and thought she saw a car with a headlight out, believing she had enough time to turn before feeling the impact.
However, investigators noted discrepancies between Clasen’s statements and the crash scene evidence. Additionally, one of the troopers detected a faint smell of alcohol from Clasen. Following this account, she was arrested and later released, pending toxicology results from the crime lab.
