A Washington, D.C. man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terry Bennett, who died on January 7, 2026 after being struck by a vehicle while assisting at the scene of a previous traffic accident.
Jerrold Lonnell Coates, 47, was taken into custody and faces a charge of second-degree murder while armed. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the arrest on January 10, 2026.
Coates appeared before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Philip A. Medley on January 10, where the judge determined there was probable cause to proceed with the charge and ordered that Coates be held without bond pending a preliminary hearing set for February 2, 2026 before Judge Rainey Brandt.
According to court documents, Officer Bennett had stopped his marked cruiser and deployed road flares on eastbound I-695 just after the merger with the 3rd Street tunnel around 10:09 p.m. on December 23, 2025. He was providing protection for another driver involved in an earlier crash when a silver 2007 Volvo XC90 approached at high speed through slowed traffic and struck him as he stood outside his vehicle.
Officer Bennett sustained blunt force trauma injuries from the collision and was transported to Washington Hospital Center. Medical staff determined he suffered a traumatic brain injury and possible spinal injury. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead on January 7.
The case is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Carter. Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined in announcing these developments.
“These charges are merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” stated officials.
