CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WCYB) — A crash involving a vehicle and a cycling team resulted in two fatalities and seven injuries on U.S. Highway 19E Wednesday morning.
Authorities identified the driver as 69-year-old John Alexander Benfield of North Carolina, charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness. The incident occurred while members of Milligan University's cycling team were riding.
According to a Tennessee Highway Patrol affidavit, Benfield was operating a 2003 Subaru Baja Sport in the outside lane when he failed to notice approximately ten cyclists ahead. Witnesses reported that Benfield did not apply brakes or take evasive action before the impact.
Two Milligan University students, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rodgers, were pronounced dead at the scene. Seven others were taken to Johnson City Medical Center, where two were in stable condition and four were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit, as reported by Ballad Health.
The affidavit also included claims of an odor of marijuana emitted from Benfield's vehicle, though no substances were found, nor was impairment confirmed. Investigators stated Benfield's failure to maintain adequate following distance and attention to the cyclists constituted reckless conduct.
Benfield's bond was set at $150,000. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation, with prosecutors indicating that additional charges may arise.