An illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal history has been convicted of killing a Washington State Trooper while driving drunk at 107 mph on the highway shoulder, exposing yet another deadly consequence of America’s open border crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Raul Benitez-Santana, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted of vehicular homicide in the death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd in March 2024.
- Benitez-Santana was driving 107 mph while intoxicated with both alcohol and marijuana when he struck Trooper Gadd’s patrol vehicle on Interstate 5.
- Despite previous encounters with immigration authorities and a history of offenses including suspended license violations and domestic violence, Benitez-Santana remained in the country illegally.
- ICE issued a detainer request for Benitez-Santana, highlighting the deadly consequences of sanctuary policies that protect illegal immigrants with criminal histories.
- Trooper Gadd, who had served for two and a half years, leaves behind a wife, daughter, and other family members.
Deadly DUI Crash Claims Officer’s Life
A Washington jury has convicted Raul Benitez-Santana of vehicular assault and vehicular homicide in the death of State Trooper Christopher Gadd. The fatal crash occurred in March 2024 on Interstate 5 in Snohomish County, where Trooper Gadd had parked his patrol car on the shoulder while monitoring for speeding and impaired drivers. Benitez-Santana, heavily intoxicated with both alcohol and marijuana in his system, was swerving erratically before slamming into Gadd’s vehicle at 107 mph, killing the officer instantly. The conviction comes as President Trump continues efforts to strengthen border security and crack down on illegal immigrant crime.
“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.
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 Failures Exposed
Benitez-Santana’s presence in the United States showcases the catastrophic failures of America’s immigration system under the previous administration. Despite multiple encounters with law enforcement and immigration authorities, the Mexican national remained in the country illegally. His rap sheet included previous charges for driving on a suspended license, marijuana possession, and domestic violence assault. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued a detainer request for Benitez-Santana, but Washington’s sanctuary policies have frequently prevented cooperation with federal immigration authorities, allowing dangerous criminals to remain on American streets.
Defense Claims Rejected
During the trial, Benitez-Santana’s defense team attempted to shift blame to Trooper Gadd, claiming he was at fault for parking in a dark area with his lights off. Defense attorney Emily Hancock also argued that her client was not impaired at the time of the crash, despite toxicology evidence to the contrary. The jury rejected these arguments, finding Benitez-Santana fully responsible for the officer’s death. Additionally, the defense attempted to have the case dismissed by alleging collusion between prosecutors and ICE, a desperate move that ultimately failed.
“But for him driving at a 100 miles per hour on the shoulder illegally, Trooper Gadd would not have been killed,” stated deputy prosecutor Isaac Wells.
A Trooper’s Ultimate Sacrifice
Trooper Christopher Gadd had dedicated two and a half years of his life to serving Washington state residents before his tragic death. He leaves behind a wife, daughter, parents, sister, and other grieving family members. The Washington State Patrol released a statement supporting the jury’s decision, emphasizing that the conviction would remove a dangerous driver from the streets. Benitez-Santana’s sentencing is scheduled for July 2, where he faces significant prison time for his crimes, though no sentence can bring back the fallen officer who died in the line of duty.
“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.
The Broader Immigration Crisis
This conviction comes amid a national reckoning over immigration policy under President Trump, who has prioritized border security and enforcement against criminal aliens. The tragic and completely preventable death of Trooper Gadd highlights the real-world consequences of sanctuary policies that shield illegal immigrants from deportation, even those with extensive criminal histories. While the conviction delivers some measure of justice for Trooper Gadd’s family, it also serves as a stark reminder of how failed immigration policies continue to endanger American citizens and law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to protect our communities.
