CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. — Two Milligan University cyclists were killed and seven others injured Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 19E, authorities said.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, troopers responded to a mass-casualty crash involving a vehicle and approximately 10 bicyclists.
Authorities said sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rodgers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Seven other riders were taken to Johnson City Medical Center; as of Wednesday evening, two patients were in stable condition and four were in the surgical intensive care unit, according to Ballad Health.
According to an affidavit of complaint, John Alexander Benfield, 69, of North Carolina, was driving a 2003 Subaru Baja Sport in the outside lane behind another vehicle when the crash occurred.
Investigators said the vehicle ahead moved to the inside lane and Benfield failed to see the cyclists traveling ahead of him in the outside lane.
The affidavit states investigators found no physical evidence that Benfield applied his brakes or took evasive action before striking the group.
Before the responding trooper arrived, other law enforcement officers reported detecting the odor of marijuana coming from Benfield's vehicle, the affidavit states. The document does not indicate marijuana was found or that Benfield was impaired, and it includes no drug or alcohol test results.
According to court records, Benfield is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness. His bond was set at $150,000.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol continues to investigate, and prosecutors said additional charges could be filed.