diff --git a/src/scenic/core/simulators.py b/src/scenic/core/simulators.py
index 832b03632..1fa3d1c56 100644
--- a/src/scenic/core/simulators.py
+++ b/src/scenic/core/simulators.py
@@ -331,6 +331,7 @@ def __init__(
         continueAfterDivergence=False,
         verbosity=0,
     ):
+        self.screen = None
         self.result = None
         self.scene = scene
         self.objects = []
@@ -432,6 +433,13 @@ def _run(self, dynamicScenario, maxSteps):
                 terminationReason = newReason
                 terminationType = TerminationType.terminatedByMonitor
 
+            # Check if users manually closed out display for simulator
+            if "Dead" in str(self.screen):
+                return (
+                    TerminationType.terminatedByUser,
+                    "user manually terminated simulation",
+                )
+
             # "Always" and scenario-level requirements have been checked;
             # now safe to terminate if the top-level scenario has finished,
             # a monitor requested termination, or we've hit the timeout
@@ -886,6 +894,9 @@ class TerminationType(enum.Enum):
     #: A :term:`dynamic behavior` used :keyword:`terminate simulation` to end the simulation.
     terminatedByBehavior = "a behavior terminated the simulation"
 
+    #: A user manually intervenes and closes display window
+    terminatedByUser = "manually terminated by user"
+
 
 class SimulationResult:
     """Result of running a simulation.
diff --git a/src/scenic/simulators/newtonian/simulator.py b/src/scenic/simulators/newtonian/simulator.py
index 193103ab7..6ff603509 100644
--- a/src/scenic/simulators/newtonian/simulator.py
+++ b/src/scenic/simulators/newtonian/simulator.py
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.export_gif = export_gif
         self.render = render
         self.network = network
+        self.screen = None
         self.frames = []
         self.debug_render = debug_render
 
@@ -226,6 +227,11 @@ def step(self):
             obj.heading += obj.angularSpeed * self.timestep
 
         if self.render:
+            # Handle closing out pygame screen
+            for event in pygame.event.get():
+                if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
+                    self.destroy()
+                    return
             self.draw_objects()
             pygame.event.pump()