Two Milligan University cycling team members killed, others injured after driver struck them

The driver of the vehicle, John Benfield, 69, of Newland, N.C., has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness.

Published: August 20, 2026 9:42am

Two members of the Milligan University cycling team died, and seven others were injured after a driver crashed into the team, which was trailing on a mountain highway in Tennessee. 

The driver of the vehicle, John Benfield, 69, of Newland, N.C., has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness, Steven R. Finney, the district attorney general for Carter County, said at a news conference, the New York Times reported.

Seven other cyclists involved in the incident were taken to Johnson City Medical Center to receive care, according to Stephen Waers, president of Milligan, a private Christian liberal arts school in northeast Tennessee. Authorities haven't provided more information on their condition. 

Tennessee Highway Patrol Maj. Roy Brown said at the news conference that numerous emergency workers responded to the crash, which is still under investigation. 

 

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