Illegal Immigrant KILLS State Trooper – Outrage Erupts

Handcuffed person with small bag of white marijuana

An illegal immigrant high on drugs and alcohol has been convicted of killing Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd after crashing into him at 107 mph, highlighting how Biden’s border crisis directly endangers American law enforcement officers.

Key Takeaways

  • Raul Benitez-Santana, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted of vehicular homicide after killing Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd while driving intoxicated at over 100 mph.
  • Despite having previous encounters with immigration authorities and a criminal history including suspended license violations and domestic violence, Benitez-Santana remained in the country illegally.
  • ICE issued a detainer request for Benitez-Santana following his arrest, highlighting the intersection of immigration enforcement and public safety concerns.
  • The defense attempted to blame the trooper for his own death and tried to have the case dismissed by alleging collusion between prosecutors and ICE, tactics that ultimately failed.
  • Trooper Gadd, who had served for two and a half years, leaves behind a wife, daughter, and other family members as another tragic victim of America’s uncontrolled border crisis.

Deadly Consequences of Failed Border Policies

In a case that exemplifies the dire public safety consequences of America’s border crisis, illegal immigrant Raul Benitez-Santana has been convicted of vehicular assault and vehicular homicide in the death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd. The fatal crash occurred in March 2024 on Interstate 5 in Washington state, where Trooper Gadd was monitoring for speeding and DUI drivers. While Gadd’s patrol vehicle was parked on the shoulder, Benitez-Santana’s car, traveling at a staggering 107 mph, slammed into the trooper’s cruiser, killing him instantly. Toxicology reports confirmed that Benitez-Santana was under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana at the time of the crash.

Failure of Immigration Enforcement

Benitez-Santana’s presence in the United States highlights the catastrophic failures of immigration enforcement under the Biden administration. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer request for Benitez-Santana, who is a Mexican citizen, following his arrest. Court records reveal that the illegal immigrant had multiple previous encounters with immigration agents yet remained in the country. His criminal history includes driving on a suspended license, marijuana possession, and domestic violence assault—clear warning signs that were ignored by authorities who could have removed this dangerous individual from American streets long before the fatal crash.

“Mr. Benitez-Santana had too much to drink; he mixed it with marijuana. His blood alcohol shows he was legally intoxicated.” – deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow.

The fatal incident occurred while Trooper Gadd was performing routine patrol duties. Witnesses reported that Benitez-Santana was swerving erratically before veering onto the shoulder and striking Gadd’s parked vehicle. The impact was catastrophic, ending the life of a dedicated law enforcement officer who had served the Washington State Patrol for two and a half years. Trooper Gadd leaves behind a wife, daughter, parents, sister, and extended family who now must navigate life without him—a devastating consequence of America’s failure to control its borders and enforce its immigration laws.

Outrageous Defense Tactics

During the trial, the defense employed tactics that many would find not just desperate but offensive. Defense attorney Emily Hancock attempted to blame Trooper Gadd for his own death, arguing that he was at fault for parking in a dark area with his lights off. This strategy failed to convince the jury, who saw through this attempt to shift blame from the intoxicated illegal immigrant to the fallen officer. Deputy prosecutors effectively countered this narrative, emphasizing that Benitez-Santana’s reckless behavior and intoxication were the direct causes of the trooper’s death.

“But for him driving at a 100 miles per hour on the shoulder illegally, Trooper Gadd would not have been killed.” – deputy prosecutor Isaac Wells.

Justice Served Despite Obstacles

In a particularly troubling development, the defense attempted to have the entire trial dismissed by alleging collusion between the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and ICE. This tactic, which fortunately proved unsuccessful, represents yet another example of how illegal immigration advocates attempt to manipulate the legal system to shield illegal immigrants from the consequences of their actions. The jury ultimately saw through these diversionary tactics and delivered a verdict that holds Benitez-Santana accountable for his deadly actions. His sentencing is scheduled for July 2, though no punishment can truly compensate for the loss of Trooper Gadd.

“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.” – Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste.

A Preventable American Tragedy

The tragic death of Trooper Christopher Gadd represents more than just the loss of a dedicated law enforcement officer. It stands as a stark reminder of the real human cost of America’s failed border policies. Had existing immigration laws been properly enforced, Benitez-Santana would likely have been deported before he had the opportunity to take Trooper Gadd’s life. Instead, a family is left without a husband and father, the Washington State Patrol has lost a valued member, and a community must grapple with the senseless death of a public servant who dedicated his life to keeping others safe. As President Trump works to restore order to our immigration system, cases like this underscore why border security is fundamentally a public safety issue.

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