An illegal migrant from Mexico was arrested after he crashed his car into a Washington state trooper, killing the officer.
Trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, tragically lost his life around 3 a.m. Saturday along Interstate 5 while patrolling the highway for reckless drivers.
Raul Benitez Santana, 33, crashed his pickup truck into Gadd’s patrol car when it veered onto the shoulder while driving at a high rate of speed, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 13 SeattleAt the time of the fatal accident, Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted that he had smoked marijuana and drank two beers before driving.
An ICE official confirmed that the suspect is from Mexico and entered the United States illegally on an unknown date. He also has a long criminal history in Washington.
Gadd has been remembered as a “promising young man” who was a loving husband to his wife Cammryn and their two-year-old daughter Kaelyn.
Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, died Saturday after he was struck by an illegal migrant while patrolling Interstate 5 for reckless drivers.
Raúl Benítez Santana, 33, crashed his truck into Gadd’s patrol car when he turned onto the shoulder while driving at high speed. He had bloodshot eyes and admitted that he had smoked marijuana and drunk before driving.
An ICE official confirmed that the suspect is from Mexico and entered the United States illegally on an unknown date. He also has a long criminal history in Washington.
In May 2013, Santana was charged with driving with a suspended license and received a separate charge for possession of marijuana. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail for that conviction.
In October 2014, Santana was caught driving again with a suspended license and sentenced to another 90 days in jail.
He was also charged with domestic violence assault in May 2019 in King County and received a ticket for speeding more than 50 pmh.
Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations first encountered Santana in October 2013, after he was arrested for failing to appear in court for driving with a suspended license.
On Saturday, Santana was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and booked into the Snohomish County Jail. She is being held on $1 million bail.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Seattle’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division have placed an immigration detainer on him, allowing federal officials to keep him in jail even if he posts bail. awaiting new immigration hearings.
Gadd has been remembered as a “promising young man” who was a loving husband to his wife Cammryn and two-year-old daughter Kaelyn.
A patrol car was also covered in flowers in his honor and an online memorial page has been created to donate to his family.
“As one of the operational directorates associated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ERO Seattle files immigration detainers against noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity and taken into custody by state authorities or locals,” an ICE spokesperson said. Fox News Digital.
Santana appeared in court Tuesday when his attorney claimed that the police officer did not have his lights on at the time of the accident and that the migrant could not have seen him.
Alex Assadi, who witnessed the accident and tried to help the officer, said FOX 13 Seattle that a gray SUV passed him “with no lights on” at “approximately 100 mph.”
‘I’m really, really sorry. I’m sorry for what happened because I have a five-year-old son. “I can’t imagine not being there,” she said.
A memorial was set up outside the state patrol headquarters in Marysville in Gadd’s honor with pictures of him and flowers as mourners passed by to pay their respects.
A patrol car was also covered with flowers in his honor and a memorial page has been created online to donate to his family.
Speaking on behalf of Gadd’s family, John Batiste, chief of the Washington State Patrol, said they “accepted the risks that come with serving in this profession.”
He became a state trooper with the force in September 2021 and graduated from Soldier Basic Training Class 116 in April 2022. Pictured: He and his wife Cammryn.
A memorial was set up outside the state patrol headquarters in Marysville in Gadd’s honor with pictures of him and flowers as mourners passed by to pay their respects.
He became a state trooper on the force in September 2021 and graduated from the 116th Basic Soldier Training Class in April 2022.
“I can tell you that across the Washington State Patrol, every head is bowed, every knee is bowed and every heart is broken as we mourn this loss,” Batiste said.
‘To honor Chris, even in pain, we will continue. We will continue to serve. Because he did it, we must do it.
The police officer’s mother, Gillian Gadd, posted on Facebook and said: “Dear family and friends, thank you for your love and support.”
‘We need it very much. There is peace in knowing that there is an army of people who pray and love us.’