(DailyChive.com) – A Washington State Patrol trooper died in the early hours of Saturday, March 2, after a vehicle struck his patrol car on Interstate 5. The suspect, 32-year-old Raul Benitez Santana, is a Mexican citizen who authorities allege entered the U.S. illegally. He is being held on $1 million bail.
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd, 27, was patrolling southbound I-5 near Marysville around 3:00 a.m. when a three-vehicle collision occurred. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office reported that Santana’s SUV veered off the roadway and slammed into Trooper Gadd’s parked patrol car.
Investigators believe Santana was speeding at the time of the crash.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 13 Seattle, Santana admitted to police officers that he had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana before the incident. A spokesperson confirmed that the Seattle field office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an immigration detainer against Santana.
The ICE spokesperson explained that a detainer requests local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE before releasing a noncitizen arrested on criminal charges. This allows ICE to take custody of the individual for potential deportation proceedings following federal immigration law.
However, ICE officials confirmed that Santana is a Mexican citizen who entered the U.S. without authorization at an unknown date. Additionally, records show Santana has a history of arrests in Washington state.
In 2013, he was arrested for driving under the influence and possessing marijuana. He served a short jail sentence and faced subsequent arrest for driving on a suspended license. Most recently, in 2019, authorities arrested Santana on domestic violence assault charges.
Trooper Gadd’s death has devastated his colleagues and community. Tributes have poured in for the young officer who dedicated himself to public service. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste offered his deepest condolences to Trooper Gadd’s family and loved ones.
Meanwhile, Chief Batiste said Trooper Gadd’s dedication and bravery would be deeply missed. He stated that Gadd died a hero in the line of duty, protecting communities and ensuring safe roadways.
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