Two Milligan University Cyclists Killed, Seven Injured in Highway 19 Training Crash — Driver Charged

Two members of the Milligan University cycling team were killed and seven teammates were injured Wednesday morning when a vehicle struck the group while they were training on Highway 19 in Carter County, Tennessee, authorities said.

Victims and charges: The two students who died were identified as Milligan sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, the college and the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. The driver, John Benfield, 69, of Newland, North Carolina, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness, First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney said.

What officials reported: The crash occurred around 9 a.m. on a rural stretch of Highway 19. Highway Patrol Maj. Roy Brown confirmed that, in addition to the two fatalities, seven other team members were struck and injured. Authorities cautioned the investigation is ongoing and that details could change as witnesses are interviewed and evidence is reviewed.

"We know the families and Milligan University deeply want answers, and we want to provide those answers," Maj. Brown said.

Injuries and hospital updates: Two victims were airlifted to Ballard Health, Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton said. As of Wednesday evening, six of the seven injured students remained hospitalized: two were stabilized on the medical-surgical unit and four were in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit, trauma medical director Dr. Bracken Burns said.

Eyewitness account: Sam Rogers, who passed the scene, described crumpled bicycles and injured riders. "I was horrified to see numerous crumpled bikes. There was a person on the road injured and another covered in blood being helped," he said.

Team background: Prosecutors and university officials emphasized the team’s experience. "This is an elite cycling team. It's not a bunch of just club guys getting together to ride. They know what they're doing," Finney said.

Other details: Online jail records showed Benfield had been booked and had not bonded out at the time of the records check. It was not immediately clear whether he had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Milligan University is located in northeastern Tennessee, about 12 miles from the North Carolina border.

Investigation: State troopers, local law enforcement and prosecutors said they will continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing physical evidence as the inquiry proceeds.

Originally reported by NBC News.