Everett, Wash. — A Snohomish County jury returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday against Raul Benitez-Santana for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault following a crash that resulted in the death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd in March 2024.
On March 2, Benitez-Santana was driving at a speed of 107 mph while impaired when he collided with Gadd’s parked patrol vehicle on the shoulder of southbound Interstate 5 near Marysville. The impact left Trooper Gadd, 27, dead at the scene.
A sentencing hearing is set for July 2.
The incident occurred just before 3 a.m. when Trooper Gadd was in his vehicle assisting another motorist. Dashcam footage revealed Benitez-Santana speeding past a semi-truck and veering off the road moments before striking Gadd’s vehicle. Following the crash, it was reported that Benitez-Santana admitted to consuming marijuana and alcohol earlier that evening.
A witness testified during the proceedings, describing the harrowing scene as “blood everywhere” but expressing reluctance to detail the event further.
In defense, Benitez-Santana’s attorney challenged the evidence, claiming it was dark and that Gadd did not have his lights activated until immediately before the impact. Prosecutors, however, contended that the excessive speed constituted reckless driving, regardless of the circumstances.
Benitez-Santana’s legal team also filed a motion to dismiss the case, alleging unlawful communication between the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Benitez-Santana is a citizen of Mexico who reportedly entered the United States without authorization. The court ultimately rejected the motion, affirming that no unfair trial had occurred.
The jury, drawn from a pool of over 100 potential jurors due to the case’s high profile, reached its verdict after considering evidence, including blood test results that indicated Benitez-Santana’s blood alcohol concentration was above the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Trooper Gadd is remembered as a devoted husband and father, with a young daughter left behind. He himself came from a family of law enforcement; his father serves as a trooper in Washington, and his sister is with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste paid tribute to Gadd, emphasizing the profound loss to both his family and the agency.
Gadd, a native of Pasco, Washington, graduated from Kentlake High School in 2015 and went on to earn his Emergency Medical Technician certification. He joined the Washington State Patrol as a cadet in September 2021 and graduated from his training in November 2022 with top honors. Chief Batiste reiterated the agency’s commitment to honoring Gadd’s legacy and ensuring that his sacrifice is never forgotten.
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