A D.C. police officer was struck on I-695 while helping a stranded motorist and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, prompting a large law enforcement response and widespread concern from fellow officers and the public.

An officer who stopped to assist a disabled vehicle in the eastbound lanes of I-695 was hit by another car, leaving him critically injured and in need of transport to a trauma center. Emergency crews and multiple law enforcement units responded to the scene, and video captured by a local journalist showed the chaotic aftermath as officers worked to move the injured man. Authorities have said the incident occurred while the officer was on duty performing a roadside assist.

Journalist Nick Sotor shared a video of the scene that captured the response and the immediate activity around the crash site. The footage shows officers and first responders tending to the injured officer and coordinating a quick evacuation from the roadway.

Sotor also called 911 when the accident happened. “The officer was attempting to help a disabled motorist when another vehicle plowed into him,” Sotor wrote. “I called 911 as soon as it happened, hence why I have no video of the immediate aftermath. Unfortunately, I never saw the officer move.”

Officers and members of the National Guard were on the scene as crews lifted the injured officer and placed him into a vehicle for rapid transport to a hospital. Witnesses reported an urgent and focused response as medic teams and fellow officers cleared a path and worked to stabilize him before moving him to an ambulance. The scene remained tense as investigators began documenting positions and damage to determine exactly how the collision unfolded.

Early reports on the officer’s condition varied, with some outlets describing him as critically injured while a union statement described his status as serious. “We can confirm one of our members was critically injured last night when he was struck by a vehicle while assisting a driver whose vehicle had broken down in the eastbound lanes of I-695,” the statement said. “The [First District] officer was transported to the hospital for treatment and remains in serious condition.”

Officials say the officer was assisting a disabled motorist when a different vehicle struck him “at a high rate of speed,” causing catastrophic injuries on impact. The driver who hit the officer reportedly remained at the scene and was later taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, while the stranded motorist escaped unharmed. Investigators are collecting witness statements and reviewing available video to establish whether speed, distraction, or other factors contributed to the crash.

Messages of support poured in from law enforcement groups and the public after news of the injury spread. “Please join us in praying for this hero’s healing,” wrote the Glendale, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The show of solidarity included offers to assist the officer’s family and requests for privacy as the medical team provided care.

Other social posts described the immediate response and the concern of onlookers. “Please pray for this DC officer. It is being reported he was helping a disabled vehicle when struck. His brethren rushed him to the hospital,” said another social media user. Community members and colleagues urged calm and asked anyone with video or information to share it with investigators.

Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund commented publicly on the danger of highway duties for officers. “The dangers faced by police officers working on our highways cannot be overstated. Traffic stops and roadway details remain among the most dangerous assignments in law enforcement,” Sund wrote on X. His remarks echoed long-standing concerns from safety advocates about working on active roadways and the risks posed by passing traffic.

At the scene, witnesses noted that not every driver slowed down or moved over while responders were working, underscoring persistent problems with distracted or inattentive motorists near crash sites. One observer described officers using flashlights and signaling to get drivers to change lanes as the injured officer was loaded into a cruiser.

Local traffic laws require drivers in many jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., to slow down and move over when approaching emergency responders on the roadside, but compliance often falls short in practice. Law enforcement officials emphasize that following these laws isn’t just etiquette; it’s a critical safety step that can prevent further injuries to first responders and other motorists. Agencies continue to remind drivers to be aware, reduce speed, and change lanes when possible to give space to emergency scenes.

This incident follows other recent tragedies involving officers in the line of duty and has renewed calls for public attention to roadside safety. Investigations into the crash will proceed, medical updates will be monitored, and colleagues have asked for privacy and patience as the officer receives care and as authorities work to determine the facts. Authorities continue to urge anyone with relevant information or footage to share it with investigators to help clarify what happened and prevent similar events in the future.