Illegal migrant from Mexico is arrested for crashing his vehicle into a Washington state trooper while ‘intoxicated’ killing the 27-year-old cop and dad

An illegal migrant from Mexico was arrested after he crashed his car into a Washington State Trooper, killing the officer.

Trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, tragically lost his life around 3 a.m. Saturday along Interstate 5 while patrolling the road looking for reckless drivers.

According to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Raul Benitez Santana, 33, crashed his SUV into Gadd’s patrol car while hitting the shoulder while driving.

This is evident from court documents obtained by FOX 13 SeattleAt the time of the fatal crash, Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted to smoking weed and drinking two beers before driving.

An ICE official confirmed that the suspect is from Mexico and entered the U.S. unlawfully on an unknown date. He also has a lengthy criminal record in Washington.

Gadd is remembered as a “promising young man” who was a loving husband to his wife Cammryn and their two-year-old daughter Kaelyn.

Raul Benitez Santana, 33, crashed his SUV into Gadd’s patrol car when he hit the shoulder while driving. He had bloodshot eyes and admitted to smoking weed and drinking before driving

An ICE official confirmed that the suspect is from Mexico and entered the U.S. unlawfully on an unknown date. He also has a lengthy criminal record in Washington

In May 2013, Santana was charged with driving with a suspended license and a separate charge of marijuana possession. For this conviction, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

In October 2014, Santana was again caught driving with a suspended license and sentenced to an additional 90 days in jail.

He was also charged with domestic violence in King County in May 2019 and was ticketed for driving more than 5 p.m. over the speed limit.

Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations first encountered Santana in October 2013 after he was arrested for failing to appear in court for driving with a suspended license.

On Saturday, Santana was arrested for vehicular homicide and booked into the Snohomish County Jail. He is being held on $1 million bail.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations division have issued him an immigration detainer, allowing federal officials to keep him in jail even if he posts bond pending further immigration hearings.

Gadd is remembered as a “promising young man” who was a loving husband to his wife Cammryn and their two-year-old daughter Kaelyn

A patrol car was also covered in flowers in his honor and a memorial page has been created online to donate to his family

“As one of the operational directorates involved in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ERO Seattle handles immigration detentions of noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity and taken into custody by state or local law enforcement,” a spokesperson for ICE. Fox News digital.

Santana appeared in court Tuesday as his lawyer argued that the officer did not have his lights on at the time of the crash and that the migrant could not have seen him.

Alex Assadi, who witnessed the crash and tried to help the officer, said FOX 13 Seattle that a gray SUV passed him “with no lights on” and was traveling “at approximately 100 miles per hour.”

‘I’m really, really sorry. Sorry about what happened because I have a five year old. I can’t imagine you not being there,” he said.

A memorial outside the state patrol headquarters in Marysville was erected in Gadd’s honor with photos of him and flowers as mourners stopped by to pay their respects.

A patrol car was also covered in flowers and a memorial page was created online to donate to his family.

Speaking on behalf of Gadd’s family, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said they “accepted the risks associated with practicing this profession.”

He became a state trooper for the force in September 2021 and graduated from the 116th Trooper Basic Training Class in April 2022. Pictured: he and his wife Cammryn

A memorial outside the state patrol headquarters in Marysville was erected in Gadd’s honor with photos of him and flowers as mourners stopped by to pay their respects

He became a state trooper for the force in September 2021 and graduated from the 116th Trooper Basic Training Class in April 2022.

“I can tell you that across the Washington State Patrol, every head is bowed, every knee is bowed and every heart is broken as we mourn this loss,” Batiste said.

“To honor Chris, even in grief, we will continue. We will continue to serve. Because he did that, we should do that.”

The soldier’s mother, Gillian Gadd, posted on Facebook saying: “Dearest family and friends, thank you for your love and support.”

‘We need it so much. There is peace in knowing that there is an army of people praying and loving for us.”