A trooper with the Washington State Patrol was killed early Saturday morning after they were struck by a motorist in Marysville.
According to Washington State Patrol, at about 3 a.m. the trooper was struck and killed on southbound Interstate 5 near 136th Street North.
According to Courtney O’Keefe with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect’s vehicle was traveling southbound on I-5 and veered off the roadway onto the shoulder where he struck the trooper’s patrol car.
After striking the trooper’s patrol car, the suspect’s SUV was then struck by a van with six people in it. The driver of the van was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the five passengers were not injured.
A 32-year-old man from Lynnwood was taken into custody and booked into the Snohomish County Jail for vehicular homicide.
The Washington State Patrol later identified the trooper as Christopher Gadd of Shelton. He was 27 years old.
He is survived by his wife Cammryn and a two-year-old daughter, Kaelynn.
His father is a current trooper with the Washington State Patrol, serving in Bellevue and his sister is a state trooper in Texas.
His mother, Gillian, posted on Facebook Sunday morning, asking for support toward her daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
Dearest family and friends, thank you for your love and support. We need it so much. There is peace in knowing there is...
Posted by Gillian Gadd on Sunday, March 3, 2024
An incredibly sad day for @wastatepatrol and Washington state. A motorist struck and killed a trooper early this morning. As the investigation continues and we await more information, Trudi and I send our deepest condolences to the trooper’s family and loved ones. https://t.co/gsEG1Ml8yK
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) March 2, 2024
All southbound lanes of I-5 in the area were closed as investigators worked the scene, but reopened just after noon.
This death marks the 33rd line of duty death for the Washington State Patrol.
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