Off-duty WSP trooper pleads not guilty in fatal crash
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, September 25th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
BENTON COUNTY, Washington – Sarah Lee Clasen, 36, the off-duty Washington State Patrol Trooper charged with vehicular homicide following a March 1 crash in Richland, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Benton County Superior Court.
Judge Joseph Burrowes granted agreed conditions of release between Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Joseph Edwards and Clasen’s defense attorney, Scott Johnson, that Clasen be released on her own recognizance.
Clasen is permitted to travel anywhere in the state of Washington or to Arizona and was ordered to sign a waiver of extradition if she travels outside of Washington. She cannot consume or possess any alcohol or non-prescription controlled substances. Clasen is prohibited from contacting any of the state’s witnesses or the victim’s family. She’s also not allowed to operate a vehicle without a valid license and proof of insurance. There’s also no mandatory requirement for any additional monitoring.
Following Clasen’s initial arrest, Johnson noted that “My client has had no conditions during those six months and has faithfully followed basically what’s in front of the court.” He added, “I think there has been demonstrated compliance that there is no threat to community safety.”
Johnson also requested that Clasen’s blood sample be sent to an independent lab for analysis, which Judge Burrowes granted.
On March 1 at 7:39 p.m., Clasen allegedly failed to yield while turning on State Route 240 and Village Parkway in Richland and collided with Jhoser Emmanuel Vega-Sanchez, 20, who was riding a motorcycle. Both Clasen and Vega-Sanchez are from Richland.
After the accident, Clasen tried to help Vega-Sanchez, who later died at a Tri-Cities hospital. Clasen refused to complete a standardized field sobriety and preliminary breath tests but was deemed impaired by a Richland police officer and arrested for vehicular homicide. She was released on her own recognizance and placed on paid administrative leave after her first court appearance. A blood test showed her blood alcohol content was 0.17, over twice 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’s next court hearing is Oct. 22, with a pre-trial status hearing set for Nov. 12 and trial set to begin Dec. 15.
Since the accident, Vega-Sanchez’s family has filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit against Clasen.
File photo via Richland Police Department
