Toxicology report released for off-duty WSP trooper involved in fatal crash

BENTON COUNTY, Washington – A toxicology test report obtained by Elkhorn Media Group through a Washington State Patrol public records request shows that off-duty WSP Trooper Sarah Lee Clasen, 35, of Richland, Washington had a blood alcohol content of 0.17 – more than twice the legal limit.

Clasen was arrested on March 1 after a collision on State Route 240 at Village Parkway in Richland with motorcyclist Jhoser Emmanuel Vega-Sanchez, 20, also from Richland, who died at a local hospital.

Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Haskell, the special prosecutor appointed to this case, has requested additional testing before filing formal charges against Clasen.

Documents obtained by Elkhorn Media Group from the Richland Police Department describe what Clasen was doing prior to the crash. At 3:23 p.m., Clasen is seen on video surveillance walking towards Moon Palace, 228 Symons St., in Richland. Approximately four hours later, she’s seen leaving the restaurant. At 7:31 p.m., Clasen used the drive-thru at Domino’s Pizza, 1408 Jadwin Ave., in Richland to pick up an order just nine minutes before being involved in the crash.

According to the Richland Police Department, Clasen refused sobriety and breath tests. She was declared impaired at the time of the crash by RPD and arrested for vehicular homicide. Investigators obtained a court-authorized search warrant for a blood sample, which was collected and analyzed.

Clasen, a 14-year Washington State Patrol veteran, has been put on paid leave. She was released on her own recognizance after her first court appearance on March 3.

On March 17, Vega-Sanchez’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Clasen, claiming she was allegedly driving under the influence and failed to yield, causing the accident. The civil trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026.

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