A 69-year-old North Carolina man has been charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle with recklessness following a crash in Hampton, Tennessee, that killed two members of a university cycling team and injured seven others.
The Milligan University sophomores Haylan Engdahl, 20, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and Brayden Rogers, 20, of Huntsville, Alabama, were killed Wednesday morning when a vehicle collided with their training group on Highway 19. The crash occurred around 9 a.m. near the campus, approximately 11 miles (18 kilometers) from Milligan University, a private Christian liberal arts college with just over 1,200 students.
Seven other team members were injured, with four in critical condition, two stable, and one discharged by evening, according to Johnson City Medical Center. The Tennessee Highway Patrol continues its investigation, with officials noting the speed limit at the crash site is 50 mph (80 km/h).
Driver Identified and Charged
The arrested driver, John Benfield of Newland, North Carolina, faces criminal charges filed by First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney. The charges include two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle with recklessness, as confirmed by multiple sources. The investigation remains active, with authorities reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses.
University and Community Response
Milligan University President Stephen Waers issued a statement expressing grief and calling for unity. “We need to help our brothers and sisters bear burdens that are too great for any one person to carry alone,” Waers said in a video message. He urged the school community to pray for the injured and their families.
The university confirmed that 11 cyclists were on a morning training ride when the collision occurred. Earlier this year, the Milligan men’s cycling team won a team time trial national championship at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road Nationals in Wisconsin.
Hospital Updates and Recovery Efforts
Johnson City Medical Center reported that as of Wednesday evening, four students remained in critical condition, while two others were stable. One student had been discharged. Ballard Health Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton noted that two victims were transported by medical helicopter.
Witness accounts described the scene as devastating. Local resident Sam Rogers, who passed by the crash, recounted seeing “numerous crumpled bikes” and injured individuals on the road, with some bicycles “completely destroyed.”
Ongoing Investigation and Safety Concerns
Maj. Roy Brown of the Tennessee Highway Patrol stated that the investigation is ongoing and some facts may evolve as more evidence is gathered. “We know the families and Milligan University deeply want answers, and we want to provide those answers,” Brown said.
The crash has prompted reflection on road safety and training practices for cyclists and drivers in the region. No further public statements have been issued regarding potential changes to local traffic enforcement or cycling protocols.
Background on the Victims
Engdahl and Rogers were both sophomores at Milligan University and members of the cycling team. Their deaths have drawn widespread attention from the university community and beyond, with vigils and memorials planned in their honor.