MPD mourns loss of Officer Terry Bennett after fatal I-695 crash while aiding stranded motorist
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Metropolitan Police Department is mourning the line of duty death of Officer Terry Bennett, who succumbed to injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle while assisting a stranded motorist on I-695 late last month.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 10:10 p.m. Officer Bennett was helping a driver who had run out of fuel in the eastbound lanes of I-695 near South Capitol Street when a second vehicle, traveling at a high rate of speed, struck him. Fellow officers immediately rendered aid at the scene, and Bennett was transported to a hospital.
After spending two weeks in critical condition, Officer Bennett died from his injuries on Wednesday, January 7th.
Terry Bennett, 32, was a nearly eight-year veteran of the department. He joined MPD in February 2018 after graduating from the Metropolitan Police Academy and was assigned to the First District. A Washington, D.C. native, Bennett was a graduate of Ballou Senior High School and Bucknell University.
Beyond his police work, Bennett was widely known for his dedication to youth mentorship. He spent over a decade coaching at Ballou Senior High School, where he served as assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator, earning respect across the community for his work with students.
Officer Bennett was also a registered organ donor, a decision that will continue his legacy of service through the lives he will help save.
MPD’s Family Support Team is currently working with the Bennett family. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon, and the department is requesting that the family’s privacy be respected during this time.
The crash remains under investigation by MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit. No further updates have been released regarding the driver who struck Officer Bennett.
Officer Bennett is the 127th MPD officer to die in the line of duty in the department’s 164-year history.
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Key Points
- Officer Terry Bennett died from injuries sustained while helping a motorist on I-695
- The 32-year-old MPD officer served nearly eight years and mentored youth as a longtime coach
- The crash remains under investigation, and funeral details are forthcoming