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D.C. police mourn Officer Terry Bennett, struck by vehicle on I-695
D.C. police are mourning the death of Officer Terry Bennett, who was struck by a vehicle on I‑695 just two days before Christmas. Bennett, who was assigned to the First District, died Wednesday after spending two weeks in the hospital.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Washington, D.C. man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in the vehicular death of Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terry Bennett, federal prosecutors announced.
What we know:
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced that Jerrold Lonnell Coates, 47, of Washington, D.C., has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with Officer Bennett’s death.
Officer Bennett was struck on Dec. 23, 2025, while assisting at the scene of a separate traffic crash on eastbound I-695 just after the merge with the Third Street Tunnel.
According to court documents, Officer Bennett had his cruiser lights activated and road flares deployed while standing outside his marked police vehicle to protect another driver involved in the earlier crash.
Prosecutors said a silver 2007 Volvo XC90 was traveling at a high rate of speed through slowed traffic, swerved, and struck Officer Bennett.
MPD Officer Terry Bennett (Metropolitan Police Department)
Officer’s injuries and death
Court documents state that Officer Bennett was thrown into the air by the impact and suffered blunt force trauma injuries.
He was taken to Washington Hospital Center, where doctors determined he had sustained a traumatic brain injury and a possible spinal injury.
Officer Bennett was pronounced dead on Jan. 7, 2026, after lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.
Court proceedings
Coates made his initial appearance before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Philip A. Medley on Jan. 10.
The judge found probable cause and ordered Coates held without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026, before Judge Rainey Brandt.
Investigation
The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Carter.
Interim MPD Chief Jeffrey Carroll joined officials in announcing the charges.
The Source: This article is based on a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.