Last Updated on August 20, 2026 11:23 am
UPDATE Thursday Aug 20, 2026 – The Carter County Sheriff's Office has released a booking photo of John Benfield following his arrest. The sheriff's office also said Thursday that nine other cyclists were injured in the crash, in addition to the two who died — an update from earlier reports of “several” injured.
A newly obtained affidavit of complaint, obtained by other media outlets, provides additional detail on the moments before the crash. According to the affidavit, Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Mason Bowen responded to what he described as a mass-casualty crash involving a vehicle and approximately 10 bicyclists on U.S. Highway 19E near Simerly Creek Road at around 9:02 a.m. Wednesday. Investigators say Benfield was driving a 2003 Subaru Baja Sport in the outside lane behind another vehicle when that vehicle moved into the inside lane, and allege Benfield failed to observe the group of cyclists traveling ahead of him in the outside lane in time to react. The affidavit states investigators found no physical evidence that Benfield applied the brakes or took evasive action before striking the group.
The affidavit also states that before Trooper Bowen arrived at the scene, other law enforcement officers reported detecting the odor of marijuana coming from Benfield's vehicle. The affidavit does not state that marijuana was found in the vehicle, does not allege that Benfield was impaired at the time of the crash, and does not include results of any drug or alcohol testing.
Court documents show Benfield's bond was set at $150,000. District Attorney General Steven Finney has said additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
Wednesday Aug 19, 2026 – 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.
