Washington Trooper Sarah Clasen DUI Homicide Case

Reference TimelineLast updated MAR 19
SUMMARY

Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen resigned, effective April 1, 2026, while awaiting trial for vehicular homicide related to a fatal collision on March 1, 2025, where she allegedly failed to yield at an intersection with a BAC of 0.17%. As of March 19, 2026: Clasen's omnibus hearing is rescheduled for August 12, 2026, with a pre-trial date of September 10, 2026, and the trial set for September 28, 2026. Clasen pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide on September 25, 2025, in the death of Jhoser Sanchez, and a wrongful death civil lawsuit has also been filed against her. Bodycam footage from December 9, 2025, revealed detectives investigating the bar where Clasen allegedly drank encountered resistance and missing records.

Timeline

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March 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen has resigned, with her resignation effective April 1, 2026.

    Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen has resigned, with her resignation effective April 1, 2026. She is currently awaiting trial for vehicular homicide related to a fatal collision on March 1, 2025, where she allegedly failed to yield at an intersection while having a BAC of 0.17%.

  2. An omnibus hearing for Sarah Lee Clasen, charged in a fatal DUI crash, has been rescheduled to August 12 to allow more time for discovery.

    An omnibus hearing for Sarah Lee Clasen, charged in a fatal DUI crash, has been rescheduled to August 12 to allow more time for discovery. Prosecutors allege Clasen failed to yield at an intersection while impaired with a BAC of 0.17. A pre-trial date is set for September 10, with the trial scheduled for September 28.

January 2026 — 2 developments

  1. The trial for Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen, charged with vehicular homicide, has been postponed from its original January 7, 2026 date.

    The trial for Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen, charged with vehicular homicide, has been postponed from its original January 7, 2026 date. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 11, 2026, with a pre-trial conference on April 15, 2026, and a jury trial set for March 11, 2026.

  2. The trial for Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen, charged with vehicular homicide, has been postponed.

    The trial for Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen, charged with vehicular homicide, has been postponed. Clasen is accused of driving under the influence on March 1, 2025, resulting in the death of Jhoser Sanchez. The original trial date was canceled, and reasons for the postponement have not been disclosed.

December 2025 — 1 developments

  1. New bodycam footage reveals detectives investigating the bar where Trooper Sarah Clasen allegedly drank before a fatal DUI crash encountered resistance and missing records.

    New bodycam footage reveals detectives investigating the bar where Trooper Sarah Clasen allegedly drank before a fatal DUI crash encountered resistance and missing records. The investigation is working to establish her timeline, with detectives finding conflicting evidence regarding bar receipts and staff accounts.

October 2025 — 1 developments

  1. A wrongful death civil lawsuit has been filed against off-duty Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah…

    A wrongful death civil lawsuit has been filed against off-duty Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Lee Clasen for the death of Jhoser Emmanuel Vega-Sanchez, alleging Clasen was driving under the influence and failed to yield. Additionally, an online court record indicating a failure to appear notice for Clasen was an error, with her attorney clarifying there was no court order for fingerprinting.

September 2025 — 2 developments

  1. Off-duty Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide on September 25, 2025, in connection with a fatal March 1, 2025, crash.

    Off-duty Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide on September 25, 2025, in connection with a fatal March 1, 2025, crash. Her blood alcohol content was 0.17%, more than double the legal limit. Clasen was released without bail and without alcohol monitors, but with court orders not to consume alcohol or possess controlled substances.

  2. Prosecutors charged Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen with vehicular homicide on Septembe…

    Prosecutors charged Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen with vehicular homicide on September 5, 2025, six months after the fatal March 1, 2025, crash that killed Jhoser Vega Sanchez. Clasen, who was allegedly intoxicated and failed to yield, refused a Breathalyzer test. She faces charges related to the incident where Sanchez was pronounced dead at the scene.

April 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Further investigation into Clasen's activities before the crash suggests she may have been at a rest…

    Further investigation into Clasen's activities before the crash suggests she may have been at a restaurant for over four hours prior to picking up pizza, potentially indicating a longer period of alcohol consumption.

March 2025 — 6 developments

  1. New details emerge regarding Clasen's whereabouts before the crash, with surveillance footage suggesting she was at a Domino's pizza location shortly before the collision.

    New details emerge regarding Clasen's whereabouts before the crash, with surveillance footage suggesting she was at a Domino's pizza location shortly before the collision.

  2. Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen was arrested and released on March 3, 2025, following a fatal …

    Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen was arrested and released on March 3, 2025, following a fatal DUI crash on March 1, 2025, that killed motorcyclist Jhoser Enmanuel Vega-Sanchez. Clasen pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide charges on September 25, 2025, with her blood alcohol content reported as 0.17%. A wrongful death civil lawsuit was filed on March 19, 2025, alleging Clasen was driving under the influence and failed to yield.

  3. Off-duty Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal March 1, 2025, crash that killed Jhoser Vega Sanchez.

    Off-duty Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal March 1, 2025, crash that killed Jhoser Vega Sanchez. A wrongful death lawsuit has also been filed, alleging Clasen was driving under the influence with a BAC of 0.17%, more than double the legal limit. Investigators found Clasen and her husband had spent four hours at a Richland bar before the crash.

  4. Bodycam footage of Trooper Sarah Clasen's arrest is released.

    Bodycam footage of Trooper Sarah Clasen's arrest is released. The footage captures her behavior at the scene, where she made statements about the crash and her actions prior to it.

  5. Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen was arrested for vehicular homicide on March 1, 2025, following a collision that killed 20-year-old motorcyclist Jhoser Sanchez.

    Washington State Patrol Trooper Sarah Clasen was arrested for vehicular homicide on March 1, 2025, following a collision that killed 20-year-old motorcyclist Jhoser Sanchez. Investigators suspect Clasen was impaired, noting signs of intoxication and her refusal of sobriety tests. A special prosecutor was appointed due to potential conflicts of interest.

  6. The 911 call made by Trooper Sarah Clasen on the night of the fatal crash is released.

    The 911 call made by Trooper Sarah Clasen on the night of the fatal crash is released. Court documents indicate investigators suspect impairment due to signs like glossy eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of intoxicants.