Court hearing set for D.C. man charged in fatal crash that killed Officer Terry Bennett

Case centers on I-695 collision that followed an earlier traffic crash response

A Washington, D.C., man charged with killing Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terry Bennett is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on Monday, following a case that prosecutors have described as a vehicular homicide during a roadside safety response.

The defendant, Jerrold Lonnell Coates, 47, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Officer Bennett. Authorities have said the charge stems from a collision on December 23, 2025, on eastbound Interstate 695, just after the merge with the 3rd Street Tunnel, where Bennett was assisting at the scene of a separate crash.

What prosecutors allege happened on Dec. 23, 2025

Court documents describe Bennett as standing outside his marked police cruiser with emergency lights activated and road flares deployed to protect a driver involved in an earlier traffic crash. Prosecutors allege a silver 2007 Volvo XC90 moved through slowed traffic at a high rate of speed, swerved, and struck the officer.

Bennett was transported to Washington Hospital Center with injuries described as blunt-force trauma, including a traumatic brain injury and a possible spinal injury. He died on January 7, 2026, after what authorities characterized as extensive lifesaving efforts.

Procedural posture and what the court date may address

Coates made an initial court appearance on January 10, 2026, before a Superior Court magistrate judge. The court found probable cause and ordered him held without bond pending further proceedings. A preliminary hearing was set for February 2, 2026, before a Superior Court judge.

Monday’s court appearance comes as the case moves through early-stage hearings that typically address whether prosecutors have sufficient evidence to proceed, detention status, scheduling, and the next steps toward trial or other case resolution. Coates is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Key verified elements likely to shape the case

• Location and context: The crash occurred on a major freeway segment near the 3rd Street Tunnel merge, where traffic conditions can change rapidly and where emergency responses frequently require lane control measures.

• Scene safety measures: Prosecutors have described emergency lights and flares as already in place, indicating an established response scene at the time of impact.

• Medical timeline: Bennett’s death occurred roughly two weeks after the collision, tying the criminal allegations to both roadside evidence and hospital documentation.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the courtroom process will determine what evidence can be tested and how it will be presented.

The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.