Police: MPD officer left in critical condition after being hit on I-695 has died

A D.C. police officer who was struck by a car on I-695 only days before Christmas has died, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

According to officials, Officer Terry Bennett, an eight-year department veteran, was struck while assisting a motorist on the roadway the night of December 23.

The announcement of Officer Bennett’s death came overnight Thursday.

“With profound sadness, we announce the line of duty death of Officer Terry Bennett.

Officer Bennett, an eight-year veteran of the police, was hit by a car while assisting a motorist on I-695 on December 23, 2025.

“Officer Bennett was a model officer, a born and raised Washingtonian who wanted to make a positive impact on his community,” said interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll.”

According to police, Bennett was outside his cruiser assisting 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 who was allegedly speeding on the interstate at 10:10 p.m.

Other police officers treated the officer right away before transporting him to a nearby hospital. He was still in critical condition on Wednesday afternoon.

The driver of the striking vehicle remained on the site and was brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the broken-down vehicle was not hurt, according to authorities.