Man accused of killing trooper is not a U.S. citizen: ICE

Support pours in for trooper hit and killed by alleged DUI driver

Over the weekend, investigators say Raul Benitez Santana crashed his car into 27-year-old Trooper Christopher Gadd and killed him. FOX 13 News obtained probable cause documents which say Benitez Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted to drinking and smoking weed before driving.

MARYSVILLE, Wash. - The man accused of crashing his car into a Washington State Patrol Trooper and killing him is not a U.S. citizen, officials said Tuesday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations placed an immigration detainer with the Snohomish County Jail for Benitez Santana, who is a citizen of Mexico.

WSP honors fallen trooper, hit and killed in Marysville

As a memorial grows outside Washington State Patrol's District Office in Marysville for Trooper Christopher Gadd, a non-profit is raising money for the family he leaves behind.

ICE issues immigration detainers against non-citizens who have been arrested for criminal activity and taken into custody by state or local law enforcement. It's a request from ICE to state or local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE as early as possible before a removable non-citizen is released.

According to an ICE official, Benitez Santana entered the U.S. without admission or parole by an immigration officer. He was encountered by ERO Seattle in 2013 at the South Correctional Entity in Burien, following his arrest for failure to appear for driving with a suspended license.

Benitez Santana behind bars on $1 million bail.

A fundraiser has been created for Trooper Gadd's family.

There are 4 ways to make donations for the Gadd family:

Using Venmo, donations can be sent to @WSP-MemorialFoundation. Please note "Trooper Gadd" in the note section. (If last 4 is requested, use 4411)
Go into any Chase Bank Branch and make a check deposit into the "Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation" account. "Trooper Gadd" should be noted on the check note line.
Using your own bank, you can log in online or through your mobile app and make a donation using Zelle. Donations can be sent to our WSPMF number, 360-597-4411, or email, wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com. Please note "Trooper Gadd". All donations received will be held for the family. There are no fees with using Zelle.
You can mail a check made out to WSPMF with "Trooper Gadd" on the note line to:

WSP Memorial Foundation

PO Box 901

Prosser, WA 99350