An off-duty Washington State Patrol trooper was arrested last Saturday evening after being involved in a fatal car crash in Richland, Washington. According to a Seattle Times report, the collision occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Highway 240 near Horn Rapids and involved the trooper's vehicle and a motorcycle. The trooper, whose name has not been released, was suspected of driving under the influence and was booked into the Benton County Jail for investigation of vehicular homicide.
Richland Police, who made the arrest, briefly outlined the incident in a Facebook post, stating that the trooper was arrested for DUI vehicular homicide. As the investigation unfolds, specifics on the crash have yet to be fully disclosed. KIRO 7 shared that the trooper was driving her vehicle and confirmed her arrest by Richland Police via a post.
In the wake of the incident, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) has promised full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. WSP Chief John Batiste expressed a solemn reminder that officers are not exempt from facing personal accountability or tragedy. "We are reminded in times like these that law enforcement officers are not immune from tragedy nor from personal accountability, and we urge all motorists to always drive with focus, care, and caution," he said in a statement reported by KOMO News.
The Benton County Prosecutor’s Office will thoroughly review the case following the conclusion of the investigation.
