MPD Officer Seriously Injured in Late-Night Traffic Crash Near South Capitol Street on I-695

Crash occurred while officer assisted disabled vehicle in eastbound lanes

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer was seriously injured in a late-night traffic crash while assisting a stranded motorist on Interstate 695 near South Capitol Street, authorities said. The incident happened at about 10:10 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in the eastbound lanes, where the officer was outside a police cruiser on foot.

Investigators said a second motorist struck the officer at a high rate of speed. Other officers at the scene immediately began providing aid before the injured officer was taken to a local hospital. MPD said the officer remained hospitalized and was receiving treatment for serious injuries.

Driver remained at the scene; investigation assigned to Major Crash Investigations Unit

Police said the driver who struck the officer stayed at the scene and was also transported to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The driver of the disabled vehicle the officer had been assisting was not injured.

The case was assigned to MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit, which typically handles collisions involving fatalities or life-threatening and serious injuries. Police said the roadway was reopened after the response and investigation activity at the scene.

The officer was on foot outside the cruiser when struck in the eastbound lanes of I-695 near South Capitol Street at approximately 10:10 p.m. on December 23, 2025.

Why this incident is being closely reviewed

The crash occurred under conditions that carry elevated risk for first responders: late-night hours, limited reaction time for approaching drivers, and the hazards created by stopped or slow-moving vehicles on a high-speed roadway. Investigators will typically examine vehicle speeds, lane positioning, visibility conditions, lighting, the location of the stopped vehicles, and any available video or witness statements to determine how the collision occurred.

What is known and what remains unclear

• The officer was assisting a broken down motorist when the collision occurred.
• The officer suffered serious injuries and remained hospitalized after being transported for treatment.
• The striking driver stayed at the scene and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
• The disabled vehicle’s driver was not injured.
• Investigators have not publicly released the officer’s identity, the driver’s identity, or any preliminary findings on contributing factors.

Police officials indicated that additional information would be limited in the immediate aftermath of the crash, with further updates dependent on the investigative process and the department’s public-information schedule.