CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. — A North Carolina man is facing multiple charges after a crash in Tennessee left two college cyclists dead and multiple others hurt Wednesday morning.
John Benfield, 69, of Newland, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness, according to an ABC News report.
It happened on a highway in Carter County. According to Tennessee Highway Patrol, Benfield struck a group of eleven student athletes from the Milligan University cycling team while they were on a training ride.
Two people were killed and seven others were hurt, some with serious injuries. The two students who died in the crash have been identified by the university as Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, both sophomores.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Carter County District Attorney General Steven Finney said Benfield is in custody and could face additional charges.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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