More state patrol troopers file carbon monoxide claims

PORTLAND, Ore.  — Two more Washington State Patrol troopers plan to sue the state over carbon monoxide poisoning, bringing the total number of troopers intending to sue to seven.

KOIN-TV reports Trooper Chad Prentice of Vancouver and Trooper Beth Joswick of Tacoma are the latest to file a $1 million tort claim with the state, according to lawyer Josephine Townsend.

Townsend is representing five other state troopers in similar claims that say officials knew and didn't do enough about the risk of poisoning from faulty exhaust systems in their patrol cars.

Earlier this year, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries issued three citations against the Washington State Patrol after carbon monoxide detectors in the vehicles triggered dozens of times for unsafe exposure.

A patrol spokeswoman says troopers don't have to drive those vehicles and that the agency is working to fix the problem.