Suspect in fatal I-5 crash merged onto shoulder before slamming into trooper, docs say [Video]

MARYSVILLE, Wash. – The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office released its probable cause statement in the I-5 crash that killed a Washington State Patrol trooper near Marysville on Saturday.

An investigator with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said when he arrived on the scene, he noticed three heavily damaged vehicles, which included a Washington State Patrol Ford Explorer SUV, a black GMC Yukon XL, and a white Ford Transit van.

The Yukon, which was driven by Raul Benitez-Santana, had significant damage to its front end, consistent with the collision into the rear of Trooper Chris Gadd’s patrol vehicle.

The investigator noted tire prints on the right shoulder of southbound I-5, likely where Trooper Gadd’s vehicle was parked at the time of the collision.

Another large tire scrub was found near the area of impact, which was slightly angled toward the southbound lanes. It’s believed this mark was created by the Yukon after the impact as it came to rest.

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