Hit-and-run victim, now survivor, confronts driver in court

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A former Raleigh police officer who lost part of her leg in a hit-and-run accident came face-to-face in court on Monday with the man who altered her life forever.

A courtroom full of family and friends gathered on Monday in support of Tracy Turner.

She addressed Judge Tiffany Powers, sharing the lasting impacts of her accident three years ago.

“I found myself on my back. I tried to move, but I could not move. My life stood still, and everything slowed down,” said Turner.

In 2023, 37-year-old Brandon Scot Bennett, seen in court, was convicted of hitting Turner with his truck on Kerr Avenue while she was riding her motorcycle.

Prosecutors say he fled the scene and was impaired at the time of the accident.

Wearing a jumpsuit and handcuffs, Powers sentenced Bennett to 3 years’ credit for time served, participate in 12 weeks of intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment, and pay a remaining restitution of $75,000 to Turner while he is on probation.

Turner met with the district attorney numerous times, asking for harsher punishments due to the severity of Bennett’s crime.

She says she still feels there could have been more, but is proud of how she advocated for herself.

“I worked hard to advocate for myself, and there was a lot of back and forth with this case, and I was not satisfied with the plea deal that was negotiated, but I accept it, and I want to thank Judge Powers for her ruling today, and I’m grateful, and I just want to thank God,” said Turner.

Bennett also requested to address Tracy, turning to her to apologize for the life-long pain he has caused her, saying quote ‘If I could take back your pain and give you my leg, I would do that right now.’

Turner says she felt in her heart that giving him that opportunity was the right thing to do.

“I needed to allow myself to be vulnerable in that moment and, you know, my hope is that he doesn’t relapse, that this treatment works for him. So, my prayer for him is that he takes advantage of this big opportunity he’s been given today,” said Turner.

Despite everything Turner has endured – physically, emotionally, and financially — she says she wants her story to be an advocacy for change.