In a tragic incident, two college athletes from Tennessee were killed, and seven others sustained injuries when a reckless driver collided with their cycling team during a training session Wednesday morning.
The victims, Heylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, both sophomores at Milligan College, were part of a group of 11 cyclists training on Highway 19E in Hampton, just before 9 a.m. They were reportedly struck by 69-year-old John Benfield.
Milligan College expressed their shock and sadness, stating, “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn that a member of our cycling team was involved in an accident with a vehicle while cycling this morning. There are no words to adequately describe this level of loss. Our prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Both Engdahl and Rogers were pronounced dead at the scene, located around 11 miles from their campus, while seven other cyclists were promptly taken to Johnson City Medical Center for treatment.
Dr. Bracken Burns, the trauma director at the medical center, reported that four of the injured were in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit, and two others were in stable condition. The seventh cyclist was examined and later released.
Authorities have not yet revealed the identity of the injured cyclists.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol commented on the difficult situation, saying, “Today was a very difficult day for many people in East Tennessee. Some families have lost loved ones. Others are waiting for news of those who were injured.” They added that the entire university community is grappling with the unexpected tragedy.
Benfield, from Newland, North Carolina, faces charges including two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of aggravated assault. The district attorney did not disclose further details regarding the crash, including whether Benfield was under the influence at the time.
He is currently being held in the Carter County Jail, and additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
The district attorney emphasized that the cyclists involved were experienced and were merely engaged in a standard training session, stating, “This is an elite cycling team. It’s not just a bunch of club mates cycling together. They know what they’re doing.”
Engdahl, hailing from Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and Rogers, from Huntsville, Alabama, are being remembered by the cycling community as individuals who were taken too soon. USA Cycling extended their condolences, expressing sorrow for the loss of life and injury among the team.
Engdahl had recently recovered from a serious training injury and was remembered for his warmth and vibrant spirit by those who knew him. A school principal reflected on his character, saying he had a “contagious smile” and a “charming personality.”
This tragic event follows a similar incident more than four years ago, when another Milligan College athlete, Eli Kramer, was killed by a drunk driver during a training run.
In that case, the driver, Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for DUI manslaughter.
