The Washington State Patrol trooper was charged with vehicle murder after allegedly plowing a 20-year-old motorcyclist while drunk behind the wheel.
Sarah Lee Krasen, 35, was driving a vehicle in Richland about 200 miles southeast of Seattle. It is said that she attacked Jother Sanchez while on a bike at about 7:40pm on Saturday. Press conference Monday.
Krazen attempted to turn left in front of the motorcycle at the intersection, causing him to collide with the right corner of the vehicle, said Damon Jansen, the investigative commander of the Richland Police Department.
The Washington state troopers first arrived on the scene and were rushed to Cadrec Regional Medical Center after taking “life-saving measures” in Sanchez.
The statetroopers took responsibility for investigating the fatal conflict, but they soon discovered that Claytheson was an unfair officer in the department and transferred the investigation to Richland Police.
The officer said he “identified some inconsistencies” in the statement of the conflict, and observed Krazen giving her speech and noticed that during the initial investigation he had “glassy eyes,” Jansen said.
According to the affidavit, Crazen told investigators he was on his way home after picking up pizza and collided with Sanchez. Obtained by Tri-City Herald.
“The motorcycle was placed on the side of the road, so it was almost entirely in front of her vehicle,” Officer Steve Hyde wrote in the affidavit.
“Sarah told me that motorcyclists are definitely faster than the posted speed limit,” Officer Steve Hyde wrote in the affidavit.
But Heid has a clear view of the traffic she is approaching before causing the collision, thinking “the attentive driver could have seen the motorcyclist.”
Hyde believes he smells alcohol and asks Claytheson to get a test for Bressa Liza – she declines.
According to the affidavit, Krazen reportedly later said she “knows how this works.”
He asked Claytheson for clarification, but Claytheson is said to have mentioned a hypothetical situation involving a glass of wine.
“I answered at this point by asking her if she had previously drunk wine,” writes Hyde. “Sara said she wasn't going to answer that question.”
“A possible cause has been established,” she was arrested at the scene.
Clasen was booked at the Benton County Jail on a 72-hour hold for a vehicle murder. Investigators “have obtained a court-approved search warrant for blood samples,” Janssen shared.
The drunk driving off duty trooper was released from prison Monday afternoon.
A Benton County judge ordered the vehicle not to drive unless an ignition interlock device (a blazer rezyzer installed in the car to prevent it from starting after drinking alcohol).
She was also ordered to obtain alcohol monitoring devices within 48 hours of release from prison.
The Benton County Prosecutor's Office has also announced “intent to require special prosecutors to oversee the case,” Janssen said, “to ensure that it is handled with full impartiality.”
Her defense attorney, Scott Johnson, argued in court Monday that the documents did not specify Hyde not only smelled alcohol but that it was in Crazen's breath, according to court documents. Tri-City Herald.
Johnson also said that the client was trying to run CPR in Sanchez after the crash and that “when the first responder came, that was exactly what she was doing, covered in motorcyclist blood.”
“That's not in the affidavit,” Johnson said.
Clasen was hired by the Washington Troopers in 2012 and worked as a state patrol spokesman. She was placed on administrative leave following Collison, Sergeant. Jermaine Walker told the Tri-City Herald.
The fatal crash comes just a year after Claytheson was filmed Interview with NBC Nowurges the public to be more careful while driving.
“Speed is so closely followed, distracting and of course undermining.”
“I think it's easy to be distracted by your car's cell phone, radio or residents, but the most important thing you do is to drive and keep you and the people around you safe,” she said during the interview.
