A DC man faces second-degree murder charges for allegedly striking and killing a police officer helping a stranded driver on I-695.
WASHINGTON — A man suspected of striking and killing a DC police officer on I-695 is being held without bond.
Jerrold Coates, 47, appeared in court Saturday, where he was charged with murder in the death of Officer Terry Bennett. Bennett was killed Dec. 23 while stopped on the side of the highway assisting a motorist whose vehicle had run out of gas, according to police.
Interim D.C. Police Chief Jeff Carroll said Bennett was outside of his cruiser setting up flares when a vehicle approached at a high rate of speed.
“Officer Bennett was on the scene setting up flares and staying with that vehicle that had run out of gas,” Carroll said. “He was outside of his cruiser when the suspect vehicle approached.”
Court documents provide new details about the moments leading up to the crash. Investigators say Coates was driving home from work using hand controls. During an interview with police, Coates told officers the controls can be faulty and sometimes come loose. He claimed that at times, pressing the brake causes the vehicle to accelerate. Coates also told police he had experienced problems with the controls in the past but had not contacted the manufacturer.
According to court records, Coates admitted to having one or two shots of tequila and possibly smoking marijuana after work that night.
Coates told police he remembered another car suddenly being close behind him before he swerved and lost consciousness. He said he did not see any emergency lights, flares, or a police cruiser before the crash.
Police, however, say Coates was driving erratically and attempted to change lanes through slow-moving traffic. Surveillance video cited in court documents reportedly shows a vehicle traveling at a much higher speed than surrounding traffic before swerving and causing a crash on the ramp.
After the collision, police say Coates remained on the scene and was found unconscious outside his vehicle. D.C. Fire and EMS administered naloxone, and Coates later regained consciousness and was transported to a local hospital, Carroll said. A full toxicology report is still pending, and additional charges are possible.
The death of Officer Bennett has prompted an outpouring of grief across the city. Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White described Bennett as “a jewel” and said he was known for his positive presence in the community.
Coates is scheduled to return to court Feb. 2.
Bennett was in critical condition for weeks before DC police announced that he’d died.
Bennett had been an eight-year veteran of the MPD. Both Mayor Muriel Bowser and interim MPD Chief Jeffery Carroll paid tribute to Bennett, with Carroll calling him a “model officer.”