2 Milligan University students dead, 7 injured after driver crashes into school’s cycling team

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Key points

• Milligan University sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers were part of an 11-cyclist training session when they were allegedly struck by 69-year-old John Benfield just before 9: 00 a.m.
• Sophomore runner Eli Cramer was out on a pre-track meet run with two teammates when they were struck by a drunk driver in Lightfoot, Va., on March 31, 2022.
• Four victims are in critical condition in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, with two others in stable condition, JMCU Trauma Director Dr.
• "A beautiful person, infectious smile, magnetic personality, loved life, " Jeff Bogaczyk, head of school at Christian Life School, informed ABC7 Chicago.
• Today has been an extraordinarily difficult day for a lot of people in upper East Tennessee, the Tennessee Highway Patrol remarked in an official note.

Two Tennessee college athletes were killed and seven others injured when a reckless driver crashed into a cycling team during their training ride Wednesday morning.

Milligan University sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers were part of an 11-cyclist training session when they were allegedly struck by 69-year-old John Benfield just before 9: 00 a.m. On Highway 19E in Hampton, Tenn, the Tennessee Highway Patrol remarked.

"We are profoundly shocked and saddened to share that members of our cycling team were in an accident involving a vehicle this morning while cycling, " Milligan University remarked in an official note. "There are no words to adequately describe this level of loss. Our prayers are with all those impacted by this tragedy."

Engdahl and Rogers were pronounced dead at the crash site – which occurred approximately 11 miles from campus – while seven injured cyclists were rushed to nearby Johnson City Medical Center.

Four victims are in critical condition in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, with two others in stable condition, JMCU Trauma Director Dr. Bracken Burns remarked. The seventh cyclist was evaluated and afterwards issued. Authorities did not publicly identify the injured athletes.

Today has been an extraordinarily difficult day for a lot of people in upper East Tennessee, the Tennessee Highway Patrol remarked in an official note. Families have lost loved ones. Others are waiting for news regarding residents who were hurt. Teammates, coaches and an entire university community are trying to process something no one projected when this day began.

"We know there are people hurting right now, and before we talk about the investigation, we want them to know that our hearts also break and we are praying for them, " the THP remarked.

Benfield, a resident of Newland, NC, was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness, Tennessee First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney remarked.

Finney didn't provide details regarding the crash, including whether the suspected driver was under the influence.

Extra charges may be filed against Benfield after the investigation, Finney noted. Benfield is being held in Carter County jail. Start your day with all you need to know. Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

Finney didn't fault the cyclists for the crash, saying they were an experienced group who were out for a typical training session.

"This is an elite cycling team. It's not a bunch of club guys getting together to ride. They know what they're doing, " he remarked.

Engdahl, a native of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., and Rogers, from Huntsville, Ala., were mourned by the cycling community as "two student-athletes whose lives were taken far too soon."

"We are deeply saddened to learn of this morning's tragic crash involving the Milligan University Cycling team. As well as to the riders who were injured, " USA Cycling stated in an official note, our hearts go out to the two student-athletes whose lives were taken far too shortly, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers.

Engdahl had lately recovered from a broken femur that he suffered after crashing during training in March, according to his Instagram.

In practice, the teen, who attended Christian Life School in Kenosha, Wisc. Was remembered for his warm character.

Wednesday's fatal crash comes more than four years after another Milligan University athlete was killed in a similar crash.

Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia pleaded guilty to DUI involuntary manslaughter for the deadly hit-and-run crash, WAVY documented. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in April 2023.

For now, 2 Milligan University students dead, 7 injured after driver crashes into school's remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.