SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WA – A man was sentenced on July 2 for a deadly crash that claimed the life of a Washington State Patrol trooper on Interstate 5 near 136th Street Northeast on March 2, 2024, according to FOX 13.
Raul Benitez-Santana, 34, was driving an SUV south on Interstate 5 while impaired at 100 mph when he strayed off the roadway and onto the shoulder before plowing into the rear of a patrol vehicle operated by trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, around 3 a.m.
First responders pronounced Gadd dead at the scene and transported Benitez-Santana to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Benitez-Santana’s trial began on May 23. He was found guilty of vehicular assault and vehicular homicide in June. A judge sentenced Benitez-Santana to 125 months in prison for vehicular homicide and 14 months for vehicular assault. Those sentences will run concurrently.
Have you lost a loved one in a collision caused by a drunk driver? If so, the Seattle car accident lawyers at Dubin Law Group would like to speak with you. Our team is willing to fight tooth and nail to protect the people we care about, those who have been hurt due to acts of carelessness and negligence. You can schedule a free consultation with us by completing our contact form or calling 206-462-4428.