Tragedy on the Road: 2 Milligan University Cyclists Killed, 7 Injured in Devastating Crash

HAMPTON, Tenn. — A tragic roadside collision in eastern Tennessee resulted in two fatalities and multiple critical injuries on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after a driver struck a group of student-athletes from the Milligan University cycling team during a morning training session.

The disaster occurred around 8:00 a.m. along a rural stretch of Highway 19 in Hampton, approximately 10 miles east of the university's Elizabethton campus. Eleven members of the collegiate cycling program were riding in formation when a motor vehicle collided directly with the group.

Milligan University President Dr. Stephen Waers confirmed that two student-athletes, identified as sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, died from injuries sustained in the crash. Emergency first responders and medical air transport teams stabilized seven additional injured cyclists at the scene before transferring them to Johnson City Medical Center.

Hospital officials reported that four of the injured students were admitted in critical condition, two were listed in stable condition, and one was evaluated and released.

District Attorney General Steve Finney announced that law enforcement officers arrested the driver, identified as 69-year-old John Benfield of North Carolina. Authorities charged Benfield with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle with recklessness, with additional charges pending as the investigation progresses.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has taken charge of the accident reconstruction and crash scene investigation to determine the speed, trajectory, and underlying causes of the collision. Meanwhile, the campus community has organized prayer vigils and grief counseling services to support the affected families, team members, and student body.

The incident has intensified local conversations regarding cyclist safety on rural roadways, with bicycle safety advocates calling for expanded shoulders and clearer warning signage along frequently traveled training routes. In a statement, national collegiate cycling representatives expressed deep condolences to Milligan University, offering assistance to the athletic department and promising to work alongside state transportation officials to champion improved protective measures for student-athletes nationwide.