MARYSVILLE, Wash. — The man accused in the death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd was charged Friday.
Raul Benitez-Santana, 32, of Lynnwood, is charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault with reckless driving and DUI enhancements.
Gadd was killed on the side of Interstate 5 in Marysville on March 2, just before 3 a.m., when Benitez-Santana allegedly crashed into his patrol vehicle. He will be in court again on Tuesday.
Benitez-Santana was interviewed at the hospital after waiving his Miranda rights and allegedly told police that he smoked "a bowl of Marijuana" earlier that night and had a glass of beer, court documents show. The suspect is also a citizen of Mexico who unlawfully entered the United States at an unknown time, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His criminal history in the U.S. dates back to 2013 for driving with a suspended license.
Remembering Trooper Gadd
Gadd, 27, is survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
Gadd was born in Pasco, Wash., on Sept. 28, 1996. He graduated from Kentlake High School in 2015 and attended Green River College and Tacoma Community College, where he earned his Emergency Medical Technician certification.
Gadd began working with the WSP on Sept. 16, 2021, as a cadet in Grandview, Wash. In April 2022, he was transferred to the training division to become part of the 116th Trooper Basic Training class. WSP Chief Batiste said several people in his class continued to work with him in the district.
Gadd rose to the top of his class, graduating on Nov. 16, 2022, and earning a top academic award which recognizes the cadet who attains the highest grade point average over 30 exams and quizzes during their training.
Gadd's father is also a Washington State Patrol trooper and his sister serves as a trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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