EVERETT, WA – Raul Benitez-Santana, 33, was convicted by a jury on Wednesday of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in connection with a deadly crash that claimed the life of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd in early March 2024.
“The jury’s unanimous verdicts of guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault are just and welcomed. With this decision, one more dangerous driver is removed from our streets, something Christopher Gadd dedicated his life to doing with every shift, by committing himself to conducting ‘one more stop’ on every day he served our state as a Washington State Trooper. While the verdict does not take away the pain of losing Chris, it does offer a modicum of relief for those who served with and loved this fine young man. Our thoughts and enduring support remain with his widow and young daughter as well as his mother, father, and sister. We will never forget Trooper Chris Gadd,” said a statement released Wednesday afternoon by Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste.
The incident took place on Interstate 5 near Marysville during the early morning hours of March 2. According to investigators, Benitez-Santana was driving a GMC Yukon Denali at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour when he struck Gadd’s patrol vehicle, which was stopped on the shoulder of the highway for a routine traffic stop.
Trooper Gadd, 27, died at the scene.
Prosecutors said Benitez-Santana had consumed alcohol and marijuana before getting behind the wheel. A toxicology report taken several hours after the crash showed his blood alcohol level was below the legal limit, but officials argued his speed and impairment were contributing factors. Vehicle data revealed that he was traveling at 112 mph shortly before the collision and only braked slightly before impact.
Benitez-Santana, who is not a U.S. citizen and was living in the country illegally, has a criminal history in Washington state, including prior charges for driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana.
Trooper Gadd had served with the state patrol for two and a half years. He left behind a wife and young daughter. His death sparked an outpouring of grief and calls for stronger traffic safety measures to protect law enforcement officers on duty.
Benitez-Santana is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
