Last Updated on August 27, 2026 12:08 pm
NEWLAND — The Newland man charged in an Aug. 19 crash that killed two Milligan University cyclists in Tennessee was arrested in Avery County on Wednesday and is back in a Tennessee jail, accused of violating the conditions of his release, according to media reports.
John Benfield, 69, was taken into custody by the Avery County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Mike Henley told news outlets. Benfield waived extradition and was booked back into the Carter County, Tenn., jail at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday and is being held without bond, according to the Carter County Sheriff's Office as cited in those reports.
WHAT THE ALLEGED VIOLATION IS
Benfield was released from jail Aug. 20 after posting a $300,000 bond. The court imposed conditions on that release, including a prohibition on driving and a requirement that he submit to drug and alcohol testing.
According to an affidavit obtained by news outlets, Benfield was asked to submit to a random drug screen Monday and failed, with results indicating THC and alcohol. The affidavit states he admitted daily THC use with a last use date of Aug. 18, and admitted drinking alcohol on Aug. 22. Rule 14 of his bond monitoring contract prohibited the use of alcohol or illegal drugs.
One distinction matters here. This allegation concerns Benfield's conduct after the crash, while he was out on bond. The affidavit filed earlier in the case did not allege that Benfield was impaired at the time of the crash and did not include results of any drug or alcohol testing from that day.
THE UNDERLYING CHARGES
Benfield is charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of reckless aggravated assault by vehicle stemming from the Aug. 19 crash on Highway 19E in Carter County, Tenn.
Investigators say Benfield struck a group of Milligan University cyclists. Sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers were killed. Several other cyclists were taken to the hospital.
Benfield's bond was initially set at $150,000 and increased to $300,000 before his release on Aug. 20.
Benfield has not been convicted of any charge in this case and is presumed innocent. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, and the National Transportation Safety Board has opened a separate safety investigation.
This report is based on media accounts of the arrest and on court filings described in those reports.
