In a landmark ruling, Raul Benitez-Santana, an illegal immigrant, has been held accountable for the tragic demise of Washington State Patrol trooper Christopher Gadd in March 2024.
The Mexican national was convicted of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, as reported by Fox News. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer for Benitez-Santana, indicating his imminent deportation following the completion of his sentence.
According to Western Journal, Benitez-Santana was driving at a staggering speed of 107 mph on the shoulder of Interstate 5, under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, when he fatally struck Gadd's parked patrol vehicle.
Deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow, during his closing arguments, stated, "Mr. Benitez-Santana had too much to drink; he mixed it with marijuana. His blood alcohol shows he was legally intoxicated." His colleague, deputy prosecutor Isaac Wells, further emphasized the reckless nature of Benitez-Santana's actions, stating, "But for him driving at a 100 miles per hour on the shoulder illegally, Trooper Gadd would not have been killed."
In an attempt to absolve her client of guilt, defense attorney Emily Hancock shifted the blame onto the deceased trooper. She argued, "He parked under an overpass. It was dark. His lights were off. And he was invisible," further adding, "Mistaking the shoulder for a lane is not reckless. That is a mistake. Raul is not guilty of vehicular homicide. He is not guilty of vehicular assault, and he was not impaired."
Following the verdict, the Washington State Patrol expressed satisfaction with the jury's decision, describing it as "just and welcomed." Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste stated, "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."
He added, "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."
Benitez-Santana's sentencing is set for July 2. During the trial, Darrow pointed out that Benitez-Santana was the type of driver Trooper Gadd was actively seeking to apprehend. "Mr. Benitez-Santana ran into and killed Trooper Gadd before he could take action to enforce the law," Darrow said, according to KOMO-TV.
In a controversial statement, Hancock argued that the combination of driving, alcohol, and marijuana was not inherently illegal. "It is legal to drive after you've had drinks. It is legal to drive after you've used marijuana. The law tells you this," she said. However, Darrow countered this by emphasizing that Benitez-Santana's actions were not only reckless but also unnecessary.
"Once he knew he was going to be consuming multiple alcoholic drinks and mixing in some marijuana on top of that call a friend, get an Uber, sleep in the car for a while if you have to, but do not take to the road under those circumstances," Darrow advised.
The defense team attempted to have the trial dismissed, alleging collusion between the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and ICE, which they claimed violated Washington state's sanctuary laws. However, their efforts were unsuccessful.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of reckless driving and the importance of enforcing immigration laws. It also underscores the dedication and sacrifice of law enforcement officers like Trooper Gadd, who risk their lives daily to ensure the safety of our roads and communities.
Login