A Washington DC police officer died after being struck by a car while assisting a motorist on I-695 on Dec 23, authorities confirmed
Officer Terry Bennett Dies After Being Struck on I-695
WASHINGTON – A D.C. police officer has died after being hit by a car on I-695 just days before Christmas, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Officer Terry Bennett, an eight-year veteran of the department, was assisting a motorist on the highway on the night of December 23, 2025.
The announcement of Officer Bennett’s death was made overnight Thursday.
“With profound sadness, we announce the line of duty death of Officer Terry Bennett,” said interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll.
“Officer Bennett was a model officer, a born and raised Washingtonian who wanted to make a positive impact on his community,” Carroll added.
Police report that Bennett was outside his cruiser helping a driver whose vehicle had broken down in the eastbound lanes of I-695 near South Capitol Street when he was struck by another driver allegedly speeding on the interstate around 10:10 PM.
Other police officers treated Bennett immediately before he was taken to an area hospital. As of Wednesday afternoon, he remained in critical condition.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Bennett stayed at the scene and was taken to a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening. The driver of the broken-down vehicle was not injured, according to police.
Incident Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Officer Name | Terry Bennett |
| Department | Metropolitan Police Department |
| Years of Service | 8 years |
| Date of Incident | December 23, 2025 |
| Time of Incident | 10:10 PM |
| Location | I-695 near South Capitol Street |
| Condition of Officer | Critical |
| Driver of Striking Vehicle | Injured, non-life-threatening |
| Driver of Broken-Down Vehicle | Not injured |
