MARYSVILLE — The Washington State Patrol is set to honor trooper Chris Gadd with a emphasis patrol this week.
The patrol comes nearly seven months after an alleged impaired driver crashed into and killed Gadd on the shoulder of I-5 south. Gadd, 27, was on patrol for intoxicated drivers near 136th Street NE at the time.
The driver accused of hitting the trooper, Raul Benitez Santana, consumed cannabis and drank beer before the early morning crash on March 2, prosecutors alleged. A Breathalyzer test, given about 3½ hours after the crash, reportedly had a reading of 0.047 blood alcohol content, below the legal limit.
Benitez Santana’s vehicular homicide trial in Snohomish County Superior Court is tentatively set for February. He remained in jail last week in Everett with bail set at $100,000.
Before the crash, Gadd reportedly messaged his colleagues that he would meet up with them after “one more stop.”
The statewide emphasis patrol, entitled “One More Stop” is set for Friday, Sept. 27, to honor Gadd’s badge number, No. 927.
“Trooper Gadd was a fine young man with a big heart and passion to serve the community – a true example of the best of us,” Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said in a press release. “He made the ultimate sacrifice while working to make our roads a safer place. “With this emphasis, we honor his memory by continuing his efforts to protect the community he dedicated his life to.”
The patrol will last from 4 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday.
Gadd began working for the state patrol in September 2021 as a trooper cadet assigned to Grandview, Yakima County. His father, David, is also a state trooper in King County. Gadd was part of the 116th Trooper Basic Training class.
At a public memorial at Angel of the Winds Arena, state patrol Capt. Ron Mead said troopers would support Gadd’s family “through this tragedy and beyond.”
“I can’t make many promises, but I will make one,” Mead said. “We will never forget. We will never forget Chris or the other 32 heroes who died while serving this state as members of the Washington State Patrol.”
Gadd was married and had a 2-year-old daughter, Kaelyn.
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; X: @GoldsteinStreet.
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