Illegal Immigrant Convicted in 100 MPH DUI Crash That Killed Washington State Trooper
Jurors convict illegal immigrant Raul Benitez-Santana of DUI-related homicide of Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd.
The jury in Snohomish County, Washington, reached a verdict this week in a high-profile case involving Raul Benitez-Santana, a 33-year-old Mexican national accused of causing the death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd. Benitez-Santana was convicted on charges of vehicular assault and vehicular homicide for the deadly incident that took place in March 2024.
According to court testimony, Trooper Gadd, age 27, was parked along Interstate 5, monitoring traffic for potential speeders and impaired drivers when Benitez-Santana struck his patrol cruiser at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Investigators determined that Benitez-Santana was both intoxicated and had consumed marijuana prior to getting behind the wheel. Witnesses recounted that the defendant’s vehicle was seen swerving across lanes before colliding with Gadd’s car, resulting in a violent three-vehicle crash that instantly claimed the trooper’s life.
The incident not only shocked the local community but also reignited statewide debates over road safety and immigration enforcement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a detainer request for Benitez-Santana following his arrest. Records reveal that Benitez-Santana has a documented history with law enforcement, having previously been encountered by immigration officials in 2013 after an arrest for driving on a suspended license. He had multiple run-ins with authorities, including a 2013 drug conviction, a 2014 sentence for driving on a suspended license, and a 2019 arrest connected to domestic violence assault allegations.
The loss of Trooper Gadd, described by colleagues as a dedicated public servant, has deeply affected both the Washington State Patrol and the broader community. The case has sparked renewed calls for stricter measures to prevent impaired driving and address the involvement of individuals with prior criminal histories in fatal traffic collisions. As the legal process concludes, Benitez-Santana faces substantial sentencing for his actions, while the family and friends of Trooper Gadd continue to mourn their profound loss.
Officials have indicated that Benitez-Santana will remain in custody pending sentencing, and additional proceedings related to his immigration status are expected. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from impaired and reckless driving, particularly when compounded by repeated legal infractions.
