Crime archive·All records·Crime data
Trooper Christopher Gadd
Vehicular homicide (DUI)
What happened
On March 2, 2024, Trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, was parked on the I-5 shoulder for traffic enforcement when Benitez-Santana—impaired and driving over 100 mph—struck the patrol car from behind, killing Gadd.
Immigration status (as reported)
Mexican citizen; ICE reported unlawful presence and a prior ERO encounter years earlier. Detainer requested after the crash arrest.
Legal outcome
A jury convicted him of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. In July 2025 he was sentenced to 125 months (maximum concurrent term) plus community custody.
Sources
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News outlets are tagged with a perceived lean (liberal, conservative, or neutral)—a simplified reading of common media-bias charts, not a verdict on accuracy. Official records (court filings, prosecutor releases, agency statements, legislative text) are listed separately and are not scored as “news,” though governments and prosecutors also have interests.
Court filings & official records
- Washington State Patrol — line-of-duty ID (PDF)Official / court
News coverage
- KOMO News — sentencingPerceived neutral
- Fox 13 Seattle — sentence detailsPerceived neutral
- Seattle Times — sentencingPerceived neutral
- KING5 — sentencingPerceived neutral