A high-speed crash on a Washington interstate that killed a state trooper has sparked a legal battle over immigration, reckless driving, and whether negligence should constitute a crime.
According to Breitbart, authorities say Raul Benitez-Santana’s excessive speed, history of violations, and undocumented status contributed to the death of Trooper Christopher M. Gadd in March 2024 on an early morning highway patrol stop.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. when Trooper Gadd, 27, was stationed on the shoulder of the freeway inside his marked patrol vehicle. While stopped, his cruiser was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling in the passing lane at approximately 107 mph. Gadd died at the scene.
The driver was identified as Raul Benitez-Santana, a 33-year-old man residing in the United States illegally. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Benitez-Santana has been unlawfully present in the country for about ten years and was protected by Washington State’s sanctuary immigration policies during that time.
Benitez-Santana reportedly admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana before getting behind the wheel. Although a breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.047—under the state’s 0.08 legal limit—the test wasn’t conducted until approximately three hours after the crash.
Defendant Collided With Another Vehicle After Initial Impact
After slamming into the parked cruiser, Benitez-Santana's vehicle was pushed back into the traffic lane. A van traveling behind them collided with his car. The driver of the van sustained a broken wrist, and five other passengers were also involved in the crash.
Gadd left behind a wife and young daughter. His death prompted tributes from state officials and law enforcement agencies across Washington, who labeled him a dedicated public servant protecting others in a dangerous role. Benitez-Santana has a lengthy criminal and driving history, including multiple convictions for driving with a suspended license and a collection of speeding tickets. One citation documented him driving nearly 50 mph over the speed limit. He also has previous domestic violence protection orders issued against him.
State Sanctuary Policies Prevented Earlier Deportation
According to ICE officials, Washington State’s sanctuary laws prevented Benitez-Santana from being deported before the crash, despite his previous arrests and driving violations. These policies restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, limiting the circumstances under which an undocumented immigrant can be turned over to federal agents.
Attorneys for Benitez-Santana have sought to have the vehicular homicide case dismissed. They argued prosecutors may have violated state sanctuary policies by coordinating with immigration officials. However, a state judge denied that motion, allowing the case to move forward. The defense team has also claimed that Gadd’s cruiser didn’t have its emergency lights on at the time of the crash. They contend that Benitez-Santana only saw the lights a moment before impact, suggesting that the collision was a tragic accident rather than a crime.
Prosecutors Say High-Speed Driving Was Reckless
However, prosecutors maintain that Benitez-Santana’s conduct, including his speed and lane position, clearly demonstrated reckless behavior. They argue his decision to drive over 100 mph in the passing lane of the freeway, combined with his substance use and previous record, led to preventable consequences.
Vehicular homicide under Washington law doesn’t require that a driver intend to cause death. Prosecutors only need to show that the person’s negligence or disregard for safety contributed to the fatal incident. “It was just a car accident,” Benitez-Santana’s attorney said, attempting to downplay the incident. The prosecutor, however, countered that driving at such high speeds on a public interstate meets the legal standard of recklessness that warrants homicide charges.
Charges Reflect Growing Public Safety Debate
This case has reignited debate over how immigration laws interact with public safety policies in Washington. Critics have pointed to the sanctuary status that allowed Benitez-Santana to remain in the U.S. despite his repeated run-ins with the legal system.
Supporters of sanctuary policies argue they foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. But this incident has drawn criticism from those who believe these rules can allow dangerous individuals to avoid scrutiny and accountability.
The case will continue to unfold in court, where both sides will present evidence about Benitez-Santana’s actions, his past conduct, and whether his behavior met the threshold for vehicular homicide. It has become a flashpoint for broader discussions surrounding driving laws, immigration enforcement, and the acceptable limits of negligence on the road.
