Man charged with murder in officer's death on I-695

Federal and Metropolitan Police Department officials announced the arrest of 47-year-old Jerrold Lonnell Coates in connection with a December 23, 2025 collision that later caused the death of MPD Officer Terry Bennett. Prosecutors charged Coates with second-degree murder while armed after court filings described a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed that swerved through slowed traffic and struck the officer.

Officer Bennett, 32, was outside his cruiser on Interstate 695 assisting a stranded motorist with flares deployed when he was struck. Bennett was hospitalized after the crash and died on January 7, 2026, roughly two weeks after the collision. The death has prompted a joint investigation by MPD and federal prosecutors into the circumstances of the crash and the conduct of the driver.

First responders administered naloxone at the scene and Coates was briefly treated at a hospital before arrest. At the time charges were announced, toxicology results were reported as pending. Coates made an initial court appearance and was ordered held without bond pending further proceedings.

The criminal charge of second-degree murder while armed signals prosecutors will pursue the case as a serious violent offense. The investigation remains active and officials have not released additional forensic or toxicology findings publicly. The combined involvement of local police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office means case development may include both state and federal review of actions leading up to the collision.

For the community and those who patrol the highways, the case is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of officers and motorists at roadside incidents. Officers often use flares and traffic cones to create safe zones, but those protections rely on drivers slowing and yielding through congested or stopped lanes. The loss of an officer performing routine assistance has reverberated through colleagues, neighborhood groups, and people who depended on Bennett in his community role.

Expect prosecutors to seek discovery and for court proceedings to proceed in the weeks ahead. The investigation will likely produce timelines, vehicle speed and trajectory analysis, and toxicology results that could shape the charges and potential penalties.

Our two cents? Slow down, move over, and treat every roadside scene like an active work zone. If you see flares or emergency lights, reduce speed and change lanes when safe. Beyond legal obligations, those small actions protect lives and keep first responders safe while they do the job the community counts on.