Trooper Christopher M. Gadd, 27, was killed in a high-speed crash on Interstate 5 near Marysville, Washington, in March 2024. Raul Benitez-Santana, a 33-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, now faces charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. According to authorities, Benitez-Santana was driving over 100 mph while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when he struck Trooper Gadd’s parked cruiser on the shoulder of the freeway at approximately 3 a.m.
Benitez-Santana’s criminal history includes multiple convictions for driving with a suspended license, numerous speeding tickets, and domestic violence charges. He has been living in the United States illegally for over a decade. Despite this record, Democrat-controlled Washington State’s sanctuary laws prevented his deportation, allowing him to remain in the country and, ultimately, cause the death of Trooper Gadd.
At the time of the crash, Benitez-Santana was reportedly driving recklessly in the passing lane, traveling at speeds recorded at 112 mph by his vehicle’s event data recorder. He admitted to law enforcement that he had consumed both alcohol and marijuana before getting behind the wheel. A breathalyzer test administered approximately three hours after the accident showed a blood alcohol concentration of .047, but a blood test 90 minutes after the crash revealed a BAC of .083—above the legal limit.
Benitez-Santana’s defense team argued that the case should be dismissed, claiming that prosecutors violated Washington’s sanctuary law by contacting ICE after an immigration detainer was placed. A judge rejected the motion, ruling the communication did not break state law.
Trooper Gadd left behind a wife and young daughter. The case has sparked renewed outrage over sanctuary policies that shield illegal aliens from deportation, even when they have a history of criminal activity. Critics argue that Washington State’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities directly contributed to Trooper Gadd’s death.
