SEATTLE — The Washington State Patrol announced a statewide campaign to curb drunk driving after the death of a trooper earlier this year.
Trooper Christopher Gadd was struck and killed by an impaired driver on Interstate 5 just north of Marysville on March 2.
According to the Washington State Patrol, before the accident, Gadd had messaged his detachment members that he would meet them after making "one more stop" with the intent to stop one more speeding driver or potentially impaired driver.
The "One More Stop" patrol campaign begins at 4 p.m. Friday and runs through 5 a.m. Saturday with an emphasis on stopping impaired driving.
Gadd's father works for the state patrol, his sister is a trooper in Texas, and his family says he dedicated his life to public service. Now, the emphasis patrol is one way people are paying their respects.
For the members of law enforcement taking part -- Gadd's widow, Cammryn Gadd, sent this message:
"I ask that you embrace a little bit of Chris, challenge yourself, get that one more stop in for him," she said.
The Washington State Patrol said the campaign is in honor of Gadd's "dedication and sacrifice that night."
“Trooper Gadd was a fine young man with a big heart and passion to serve the community – a true example of the best of us,” said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. “He made the ultimate sacrifice while working to make our roads a safer place."
In the last decade, the number of impaired drivers involved in deadly collisions has steadily increased, with 369 cases last year. In 2023, the Washington State Patrol made more than 11,000 DUI arrests, and so far this year, more than 8,000.