North Carolina Man Charged After Fatal Crash Involving Christian University Cycling Team in Tennessee
John Alexander Benfield, 69, of North Carolina, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness following a crash in Carter County, Tennessee. The incident resulted in the deaths of two Milligan University sophomores, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, and injured seven other members of the university's cycling team. The team was on a morning training ride in Hampton, TN, when they were struck by Benfield's 2003 Subaru Baja Sport. Court documents indicate that officers detected the smell of marijuana coming from Benfield's car at the scene, though the affidavit does not confirm if marijuana was found or if Benfield was impaired. Investigators found no evidence that Benfield braked or attempted to steer away from the cyclists, suggesting he was either following too closely or driving in a manner that prevented him from seeing them in time. Benfield's bail has been set at $150,000. 
