New details in deadly WA state trooper crash, victim family starts fundraiser
The Brief
New details surrounding the fatal crash involving a Washington state trooper have been revealed through probable cause documents.
The family of Jhoser Sanchez, the victim of the crash, has started an online fundraiser.
RICHLAND, Wash. - New details surrounding the fatal crash involving a Washington state trooper have been revealed through probable cause documents.
The crash happened in Richland, Washington, in Benton County, on the evening of March 1.
Richland police arrested Sarah Clasen, a Washington State Patrol trooper who was off-duty at the time of the crash. She is accused of driving under the influence and causing the crash that killed 20-year-old Jhoser Sanchez.
Sanchez was driving his motorcycle eastbound on State Route 240 when Clasen allegedly made a left turn in front of him, leading to the fatal collision.
Sanchez's family has since started an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.
What they're saying
According to the affidavit of one of the responding officers, Clasen said she was returning home from picking up Domino's Pizza, and she was turning onto Village Parkway from westbound SR 240.
Clasen said she saw a vehicle light coming towards her as she made the turn, but thought it was a car with one of its headlights out, and believed she had enough time to safely make the turn, probable cause documents state.
The officer noted Sanchez's motorcycle was under Clasen's SUV, with most of the damage concentrated to the SUV's passenger side front corner.
Clasen allegedly said Sanchez was "going way faster than the posted speed limit," and that she "almost completed the turn at the time of impact." However, police said it appeared she had just begun to turn upon impact.
Police said Clasen had slightly glossy eyes, disorganized statements, slurred speech and an odor of intoxicants coming from her over two hours after the crash.
Officers said Clasen declined to complete field sobriety tests or a preliminary breath test, but did give a written statement consisting of six sentences.
The officer's statement said, "an attentive driver should have been able to see the motorcyclist prior to the collision."
Clasen was booked into jail for suspicion of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence, and was later released on her own recognizance.
Police said they collected a blood sample, which was pending analysis as of Monday.
The Source
Information in this story is from probable cause documents from Benton County Superior Court, GoFundMe and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
Child hit, killed by car at Seattle middle school
Wheel user slaps anti-Elon sticker on Tesla Cybertruck in Seattle traffic
Video shows WA ATM theft suspect try to escape 'like a jackrabbit'
Ferguson delays WA hybrid electric ferry conversions to restore pre-pandemic service
Idaho police find 3-person mixture of DNA under Maddie Mogen's fingernails
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump death threats emerge amid Los Angeles riots; Secret Service aware
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed Thursday that it is "aware" of threatening "Kill Trump" graffiti messages spray-painted around the city of Los Angeles during this week's riots. A spokesman for the protective agency would not confirm whether an investigation is underway but did say that it knows of the violent messaging directed at both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The messaging was seen in the city's downtown area amid civil unrest following Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of criminal illegal immigrants. "Burn it all down," one said, with "Kill Trump" graffitied below it. Federal Officials Slam Democrats For 'Dangerous' Rhetoric As Ice Agents Face Violent Mobs In La, Nyc "Kill Trump," the other said, with "JD Vance" spray-painted below. Read On The Fox News App Last weekend, clashes between rioters and police erupted in Paramount, California, after ICE conducted arrest operations targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. The riots quickly spread to Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles Police Department faced down bad actors of their own. Vehicles were set ablaze, property was covered with anti-ICE and anti-Trump graffiti, and stores were broken into and looted during the unrest. Los Angeles Business Owners 'Sick And Tired' Of 'Stupid' Anti-ice Rioters Looting Their Stores Trump activated the California National Guard and U.S. Marines. He has been in a legal battle with Gov. Gavin Newsom over control of the National Guard. Other federal law enforcement agencies have also turned their attention to the city amid the tension. FBI Director Kash Patel warned those who commit violence against police, saying "if you assault a law enforcement officer, you're going to jail—period." "It doesn't matter where you came from, how you got here, or what cause you claim to represent," Patel told Fox News Digital. "If local jurisdictions won't stand behind the men and women who wear the badge, the FBI will." Hundreds have been arrested since the riots began last weekend. The Trump administration, which says it has arrested criminal illegal immigrants who have been convicted of murder, sex crimes against children and battery, is continuing its ICE operations. "Murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect. How much longer will Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass continue to prioritize these criminal illegal aliens over their own citizens?" Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on Wednesday. "Secretary Noem has a message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE will continue to enforce the law and arrest criminal illegal aliens," McLaughlin added. Fox News' Alexandra Koch and Cameron Arcand contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump death threats emerge amid Los Angeles riots; Secret Service aware
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Federal agents box in man accused of assaulting border patrol agent at LA protests
Video shows the moment federal officers took a man into custody they say is wanted on suspicion of assaulting a border patrol agent at an anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles. The agents boxed in the suspect's vehicle at an intersection in the Boyle Heights neighborhood while his partner and toddler were inside. The man's partner said he was at a protest in Paramount over the weekend and there was a warrant out for his arrest after a confrontation with authorities. A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security indicated that the incident was not a hit-and-run, but rather, a 'targeted arrest of a violent rioter who punched a CBP officer.'
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oakland PD asks for help solving fatal shooting cold case
(KRON) – The Oakland Police Department is asking for public assistance in solving the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Bert Brigham III. Brigham's death occurred almost four years ago on July 18, 2021, in the 1900 block of Foothill Boulevard. Oakland business looted following anti-ICE protest OPD has released images of four male suspects in their 20s and vehicles that may be connected to the case (pictured below). Per OPD, a white Kia Optima, a blue Toyota Camry, and a dark Honda Accord were the cars associated with the suspects. Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
