A Washington State Patrol trooper was killed early Saturday morning after being struck by a motorist on southbound Interstate 5 near Marysville, the agency said in a news release.

Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash near 136th Street Northeast just before 3 a.m. The trooper, identified as Christopher Gadd, died at the scene.

Gadd, 27, was with State Patrol for 2 ½ years and worked out of Marysville.

“We will honor Chris, even in sorrow, but as an agency, we will go on,” State Patrol Chief John Batiste said at a news conference Saturday afternoon. “The people of this great state need to know that we will continue to serve them with humility. Because he served, it’s our duty to continue to serve. [We need to] honor him and never forget his ultimate sacrifice.”

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the trooper was parked on the right shoulder when someone driving at a high speed slammed into the back of the patrol car. A van then crashed into the suspect’s car.

The suspect and the driver of the van were taken to the hospital, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Five passengers in the van were not hurt in the crash.