Illegal immigrant Raul Benitez-Santana faces decades in prison after being convicted of vehicular homicide for killing Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd while driving drunk at 107 mph on Interstate 5.
Key Takeaways
- Raul Benitez-Santana, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault for killing State Trooper Christopher Gadd in March 2024.
- Benitez-Santana was driving 107 mph while intoxicated with both alcohol and marijuana when he struck Gadd’s patrol vehicle parked on the shoulder of Interstate 5.
- The convicted driver had previous encounters with immigration officials and a history of legal issues including driving on a suspended license and domestic violence.
- ICE has issued a detainer request for Benitez-Santana, who will face sentencing on July 2 for his crimes.
- Trooper Gadd, who had served for two and a half years, leaves behind a wife, daughter, and extended family.
Deadly DUI Crash Claims Trooper’s Life
A Washington jury has convicted illegal immigrant Raul Benitez-Santana of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in the March 2024 death of State Trooper Christopher Gadd. The fatal crash occurred on Interstate 5 when Benitez-Santana, driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, struck Gadd’s patrol vehicle. The 31-year-old trooper was monitoring for speeding and DUI drivers when his cruiser, parked on the shoulder, was hit by the recklessly driven vehicle. Prosecutors successfully argued that Benitez-Santana’s intoxication and dangerous driving directly caused the death of the officer.
“Mr. Benitez-Santana had too much to drink; he mixed it with marijuana. His blood alcohol shows he was legally intoxicated,” said deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow.
Witness testimony and evidence presented during the trial showed that Benitez-Santana was swerving on the road before the collision. Deputy prosecutor Isaac Wells emphasized the direct causation in court: “But for him driving at a 100 miles per hour on the shoulder illegally, Trooper Gadd would not have been killed.” The defense attempted to shift blame to the trooper, claiming he had parked in a dark area without lights, but this argument failed to convince the jury, who delivered a guilty verdict after deliberation.
Illegal immigrant Raul Benitez-Santana found guilty of Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault after he killed WSP Trooper Christopher Gadd. He had a criminal history but was protected by the state's sanctuary law. This didn't have to happen. https://t.co/AVEmkUjCkO
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) June 4, 2025
Immigration Status and Previous Offenses
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer request for Benitez-Santana, a Mexican citizen who was in the country illegally at the time of the crash. Court records reveal a troubling history of legal problems, including prior offenses for driving on a suspended license, marijuana possession, and domestic violence assault. These previous encounters with law enforcement raise serious questions about why he remained in the country despite his unlawful status and repeated criminal activity. The defense team even attempted to have the trial dismissed, alleging collusion between prosecutors and ICE, but this motion was rejected by the court.
Impact on the Law Enforcement Community
Trooper Christopher Gadd’s death has deeply affected the law enforcement community in Washington state. Having served for two and a half years with the Washington State Patrol, Gadd is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, sister, and other family members. His loss represents not only a personal tragedy for his loved ones but also highlights the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily while protecting the public. The Washington State Patrol released a statement supporting the jury’s decision, emphasizing that justice had been served in removing a dangerous driver from the streets.
“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,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste.
Calls for Immigration and Road Safety Reform
This tragic case has intensified calls for stricter immigration enforcement and road safety measures. President Trump’s administration has pointed to incidents like this as evidence of the need for stronger border security and more aggressive deportation policies for illegal immigrants who commit crimes. The preventable nature of this tragedy – caused by an individual who should not have been in the country and had multiple previous encounters with law enforcement – has fueled public outrage and renewed demands for policy changes. Critics of sanctuary state policies argue that closer cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities might have prevented this tragedy.
Benitez-Santana’s sentencing is scheduled for July 2, where he faces decades in prison for his crimes. While this conviction cannot bring back Trooper Gadd, it does provide some measure of justice for his family and fellow officers. The case stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of failed immigration policies and the importance of keeping dangerous drivers off American roads. As the community continues to mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant, the broader policy implications of this case will likely continue to resonate in debates about immigration enforcement and public safety.
