Court proceedings against the death of WSP trooper begins

Marysville, Wash. – – More than a year after the Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd lost his life in a crash, Raul Benitez-Santana, who was in connection with his death, is now on trial.

The opening statements in the process began on Friday, May 23.

The investigators say on March 2, 2024, Gadd was on patrol when Benintez-Santana was under influence and the soldier's car was more than 100 miles per hour.

What you say:

“In the last few seconds or two you can see that Gadd must have stepped on the brakes because the brake lights lit on the patrol car, but at that time it is too late and there is a violent collision,” said the state.

During the opening statements on Friday, they told the jury that the damage was so catastrophic that the car was not recognizable.

“The power of the impact killed the Trooper Gadd almost immediately. It caused heavy fractures in the back of his skull,” said the state.

While Trooper Gadd died at the scene, the state said that Benitenz-Santana was unharmed, but his lawyers say that he was questioned in the hospital. “They float about him 'Raul, Raul, Raul', to get him to answer these questions, and he does it,” said the defense. She added to accelerate speed.

“In the video you will see that he slams his brakes on the brake as soon as the soldier's vehicle becomes visible and he does notify the left, but there was simply not enough time,” said Benitez-Santana's lawyer. She adds that he was not impaired at the time and blood samples were removed that night, “the crime laboratory made mistakes in the tests.”

“We will ask you to find the accused guilty of vehicle murder. There are two ways to do this: by ruthless driving or driving under influence. We will ask you to do both in this case,” said the state.

“If you hear the evidence in this case, the facts, the witnesses, data and science, you will see that the case of the state does not hold. Yes, it was a tragic accident, but not a crime,” said the defense.

What's next:

The attempt is expected to take about three weeks.

Further news from Fox 13 Seattle

Luxury Seattle Hotel sues “Annoying” next door

Firefighters in the Wester WA train for the possibility of an “above -average” wildfire season

Shawn Kemp's lawyers have a prejudices in the shot in Tacoma Mall when the process approaches

Federal judge blocks Trump's mining of the Ministry of Education

“Where's Teekah?”: Mother speaks after Tacoma, wa Cold Case,

Activist marks for 2 weeks in Tree to protest to protest the logging near Port Angeles

After a fatal crash, the driver arrested in Kent, WA

To get the best local news, the weather and the best sports in Seattle for free Fox Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free Fox Local app for mobile devices from down Apple App Store or Google Play Store For live messages in Seattle, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

Crime and public security peak