Family of Washington trooper killed by motorist in line of duty releases statement

SEATTLE — The family of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd, who was hit and killed by motorist on Interstate 5 in Marysville early Saturday morning, released a statement Tuesday.

Gadd was on patrol Saturday on the 13600 block of southbound I-5, parked in the grass on the right-side shoulder of the freeway when the collision happened, officials said. A witness driving a semi-truck said Gadd's vehicle was "fully marked" with the lights off, the document said, when a speeding black SUV "swerved and struck the rear end" of the patrol vehicle.

A white van carrying about six people was driving in the fast lane and hit the suspect vehicle, the document said. The van's driver "possibly has a broken leg and a broken wrist," according to the document. None of the passengers in the van were hurt.

In the probable cause document, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office deputy said around 3 a.m. they saw Gadd's vehicle destroyed, with Gadd in the driver's seat.

RECENT STORIES

• Driver arrested for WSP trooper's death admitted to drinking, smoking before I-5 crash
  
• Community mourns loss, honors legacy of 27-year-old trooper killed in the line of duty
  
• WSP trooper killed in three-vehicle I-5 crash identified, Lynnwood man in custody
  

"A few moments later it was determined that (Gadd) had passed away on scene in his vehicle due to the injuries sustained in the collision," the deputy wrote.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) said Gadd, 27, started with the WSP on Sept. 16, 2021. He became the 33rd WSP member to die in the line of duty in the agency's 103 years of service, according to the WSP.

In probable cause documents for the 32-year-old suspect's arrest, a deputy said the Lynnwood man admitted to smoking weed and drinking two beers earlier that night. The man is being held on $1 million bail, and the judge found probable cause for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. KOMO News is not naming the man because he has not been formally charged.

We are working through what is undoubtedly the most difficult of times for our family as we mourn the loss of a loving husband, devoted father, caring brother, beloved son, and committed friend," Gadd's family said. "We appreciate the outpouring of support we have seen from the community that Chris loved and served. We ask the media to respect our family’s privacy during this painful time.

Anyone wishing to send cards to the family are asked to address them to the WSP Marysville Office: 2700 116th St. NE, Marysville, WA 98271.

Members of both the suspect and Gadd’s family were in the courtroom Monday, and neither were available for comment.

Gadd is survived by his wife, Cammryn, daughter Kaelyn, father and WSP Trooper David Gadd, mother Gillian and sister Jacqueline, who is a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to the WSP.

The memorial for Gadd outside WSP's Marysville post has steadily grown since Saturday. Numerous people have dropped off flowers and reflected on Gadd's life.