DC police officer hit while helping broken down driver on I-695 passes away

The D.C. police officer hit by a speeding driver on I-695 while helping another driver whose car broke down has passed away on Wednesday, according to police.

Terry Bennett, 32, was born and raised in D.C. and was a nearly 8-year veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The Ballou Senior High School alum dedicated mentored students at the high school for over a decade as assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator.

In a statement released by D.C. police, Bennett “demonstrated a constant commitment to building trust and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the DC community.”

“Officer Bennett was a model officer, a born and raised Washingtonian who wanted to make a positive impact on his community, dedicating himself to bettering the lives of young people,” Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll said in the statement.

Bennett was standing outside of his cruiser in the eastbound lanes of I-695 near South Capitol Street on Dec. 23 of last year, according to police. A driver going “at a high rate of speed” hit him, police said.

Members of law enforcement immediately started tending to Bennett, who was rushed to a hospital, police said.

The driver accused of hitting the officer stayed on the scene and was later taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that are not considered life-threatening, police said.

Police didn’t immediately announce any charges against the driver accused of hitting the officer.

The driver of the broken-down vehicle wasn’t hurt, police said.

Bennett worked in the police department’s First District, according to the union. He’s recognized by his peers and the community for his positive impact on countless students, according to the D.C. police statement.

The crash remains under investigation from MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit. Bennett’s death is the 127th officer to die in the line of duty for D.C. police.