An illegal immigrant accused of killing a Washington state trooper in a crash earlier this year had his bail reduced from $1 million to $100,000 by a state judge last week. Raul Benitez Santana, 32, is currently held at the Snohomish County Jail on charges of vehicular assault and vehicular homicide involving alcohol or drugs in connection with the death of 27-year-old Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher M. Gadd in March. Initially held on $1 million bail, online jail records now show Santana’s bail was reduced to $100,000.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Richard Okrent lowered Santana’s bail on May 15 after Santana’s defense attorneys argued for his release, according to the Everett Herald. Gadd’s widow, however, objected to Santana’s release in a letter to the judge. “Reducing bail would not only undermine the severity of the crime but also inflict further anguish and distress upon me, our child, and the rest of our family,” Cammryn Gadd wrote in the letter obtained by the Herald.
Gadd was killed just before 3 a.m. on southbound I-5 near Marysville when an SUV veered off the roadway and onto the shoulder, striking his parked patrol vehicle. The SUV was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred. Court documents allege Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted to police he had been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before driving.
An ICE official confirmed Santana is a citizen of Mexico and was in the U.S. unlawfully after entering the country at an unknown date and time. ICE placed an immigration detainer on Santana following his arrest. Santana’s defense is concerned that should he post bail, federal authorities may arrest and deport him from the country, the Herald reported.