Border Policy COLLAPSE — Trooper Never Stood a Chance

Person using autopilot in Tesla on highway

An illegal immigrant who killed a Washington State Trooper while driving drunk at 107 mph now faces severe consequences, highlighting the deadly impact of Biden administration border failures.

Key Takeaways

  • Raul Benitez-Santana, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted of vehicular homicide in the death of Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd.
  • Benitez-Santana was driving 107 mph while intoxicated with both alcohol and marijuana when he struck Trooper Gadd’s vehicle on Interstate 5.
  • Despite previous encounters with immigration authorities and a criminal history, Benitez-Santana remained in the country illegally.
  • ICE has placed a detainer on Benitez-Santana, who faces sentencing on July 2, 2025.
  • The case underscores ongoing public safety threats posed by inadequate border security and enforcement of immigration laws.

Another Preventable Tragedy

In a devastating example of America’s border crisis turning deadly, illegal immigrant Raul Benitez-Santana has been convicted of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in the March 2024 death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd. The 32-year-old Mexican national was traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph on Interstate 5 while intoxicated with both alcohol and marijuana when he slammed into Trooper Gadd’s cruiser. Gadd, who had served with the Washington State Patrol for two and a half years, was monitoring for speeding and DUI drivers when his parked vehicle was struck on the shoulder of the highway.

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

The conviction comes as President Trump works to reverse the catastrophic border policies implemented by the previous administration. During trial proceedings, it was revealed that Benitez-Santana had previously encountered immigration authorities but remained in the country illegally. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer request for him following his conviction. His criminal history includes prior offenses such as driving on a suspended license, marijuana possession, and domestic violence assault – all of which should have triggered deportation proceedings.

Failed Defense and Justice Served

Defense attorney Emily Hancock attempted to shift blame away from Benitez-Santana, arguing that Trooper Gadd was at fault for parking in a dark area with his lights off and claiming that her client was not impaired at the time of the crash. This defense strategy failed to convince the jury, who delivered a guilty verdict after deliberations. The defense also tried unsuccessfully to have the trial dismissed by alleging collusion between the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and ICE – a tactic that appears designed to exploit sanctuary policies that shield illegal immigrants from federal authorities.

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

Witnesses reported that Benitez-Santana was swerving erratically on the road before striking Gadd’s vehicle. Prosecutors successfully argued that his reckless driving and intoxication directly caused the trooper’s death. The Washington State Patrol expressed strong support for the jury’s decision, emphasizing that justice had been served for their fallen brother in uniform. Benitez-Santana now awaits sentencing scheduled for July 2, where he faces significant prison time before potential deportation.

A Family and Community Mourns

Trooper Christopher Gadd leaves behind a devastated family including his wife, daughter, parents, and sister. His death represents yet another senseless loss of an American public servant at the hands of someone who should never have been in the country. The conviction offers only partial closure to a grieving family and a law enforcement community that has increasingly found itself on the front lines of America’s immigration crisis. Gadd’s dedication to public safety stands in stark contrast to the federal policies that allowed his killer to remain in the country despite numerous red flags.

“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,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste.

This tragedy is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern emerging across America as criminal illegal immigrants continue to exploit lax enforcement. While immigration activists often focus solely on the plight of those entering the country illegally, cases like this highlight the real human cost paid by American citizens and their families. President Trump’s administration is now working to restore order at the border and reinstate deportation protocols for criminal aliens to prevent further tragedies like the one that took Trooper Gadd’s life.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR