New trial date set for off-duty WSP trooper charged in 2025 fatal Richland crash
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, January 8th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
BENTON COUNTY, Washington – The next court date for off-duty Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Lee Clasen, charged with vehicular homicide after a crash on March 1, 2025, has been moved to March 11 for an omnibus hearing.
Clasen,36, pleaded not guilty last September in Benton County Superior Court to allegedly failing to yield on State Route 240 and Village Parkway in Richland, leading to a collision with Jhoser Emmanuel Vega-Sanchez, 20, who was riding a motorcycle. Both Clasen and Vega-Sanchez are from Richland.
Clasen attempted to help Vega-Sanchez, who later died in a Tri-Cities hospital. She refused sobriety tests but was arrested for vehicular homicide after a Richland police officer deemed her impaired. A blood test revealed her blood alcohol content was 0.17, more than double the legal limit.
Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger appointed the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office to handle the case based on Clasen’s position as a local law enforcement officer and the need for independent review and handling of this matter in the interests of justice.
Clasen was released on her own recognizance and placed on paid administrative leave after her first court appearance.
A pre-trial status hearing is scheduled for April 15, with the trial starting on May 18.
Vega-Sanchez’s family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Clasen.
File photo of Sarah Clasen
