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A man was convicted by a Snohomish County jury Wednesday of killing a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper in a DUI crash.

Raul Benitez-Santana, 33, was found guilty of vehicular assault while under the influence and vehicular homicide for killing WSP Trooper Christopher Gadd in March 2024, WSP confirmed in a news release.

“The Washington State Patrol would like to thank the people of Washington for their outpouring of support for our fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd, his family, loved ones, and those who served our state and system of justice by serving on the jury of his killer,” the agency wrote in the release.

Defense calls for case to be dismissed

Benitez-Santana’s trial was previously postponed as the court looked into a motion concerning the state鈥檚 sanctuary laws. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Benitez-Santana is in the U.S. illegally.

Defense attorneys asked the court to dismiss the case over claims prosecutors worked with ICE during the week charges were filed鈥攁llegedly violating Washington law.

The defense argued a staffer in the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney鈥檚 Office asked ICE officials in Seattle to put a detainer on him ahead of a court hearing. They alleged the staffer engaged in 鈥渙utrageous government misconduct.鈥�

Drew Bostock, the Seattle Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations with ICE, responded, saying, “Immigration detainers are essential in completing a transfer of custody in the safest way possible, and are placed by ERO Seattle to ensure noncitizens are held accountable to federal laws.”

A judge denied the motion to dismiss the case the following week.

Moments leading up to Benitez-Santana killing WSP trooper

Investigators reported Benitez-Santana was driving more than 100 mph when the crash occurred. Prosecutors said he admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking beer before he crashed into Gadd鈥檚 patrol vehicle.

Benitez-Santana’s SUV swerved and slammed into the back of Gadd’s vehicle, according to witnesses. It then ricocheted off the patrol vehicle and stopped in the fast lane, where it was hit by a van with six people inside.

Gadd, 27, died in the collision. He is survived by his wife Cammryn and their two-year-old daughter.

“While the verdict does not take away the pain of losing Chris, it does offer a modicum of relief for those who served with and loved this fine young man,” WSP wrote in its release. “Our thoughts and enduring support remain with his widow and young daughter as well as his mother, father, and sister. We will never forget Trooper Chris Gadd.”

Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest

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