Last Updated on August 19, 2026 6:35 pm
A Newland man is facing multiple charges after a crash Wednesday morning that killed two Milligan University cycling team members and injured several others in Hampton, Tennessee.
Tennessee District Attorney General Steven Finney identified the man charged as John Benfield, 69, of Newland. Benfield is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, and was booked into the Carter County Jail. Finney said additional charges could be added as the investigation continues.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday on Highway 19E near Simerly Creek Road in the Hampton area of Carter County, involving a vehicle and a group of Milligan University cyclists who were training together. Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley confirmed two people died at the scene. Several other cyclists were injured, with multiple victims flown from the scene by medical helicopter.
Milligan University identified the two students killed as sophomores Haylan Engdahl, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and Brayden Rogers, of Huntsville, Alabama, both members of the school's cycling team. The university said additional cyclists were seriously injured and were being treated at Johnson City Medical Center.
Ballad Health, which operates Johnson City Medical Center, said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident.” The health system confirmed trauma surgeons were on standby to treat victims as they arrived.
Milligan University, a private Christian institution in Elizabethton, Tennessee, said it was working with law enforcement and asked the community to keep the victims, their families, and the Milligan community in their thoughts. Nearby institutions including East Tennessee State University, King University, and Tusculum University issued statements of condolence following the crash.
Authorities have not released additional details on what led up to the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
