Driver accused of killing 2 college cyclists in Tennessee crash allegedly failed to brake: court docs

A Tennessee driver accused of striking a group of college cyclists, killing two and seriously injuring five others, allegedly failed to brake or take evasive action before the crash, according to a newly filed affidavit.

John Alexander Benfield faces two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of reckless aggravated assault in Wednesday’s crash involving members of the Milligan University cycling team in Carter County.

The collision happened around 9 a.m. on Highway 19E near Simerly Creek Road, according to the affidavit filed by the Tennessee Highway Patrol .

Investigators said Benfield was driving a 2003 Subaru Baja Sport behind another vehicle when the vehicle ahead moved from the outside lane into the inside lane.

LEGENDARY DUKE COACH MIKE KRZYZEWSKI'S GRANDSON CHARGED WITH DWI AFTER COLLISION THAT KILLED TEEN BICYLCIST Benfield told investigators he did not see the group of cyclists traveling ahead in the outside lane until the other vehicle changed lanes, the affidavit says.

A trooper wrote that investigators found "no physical evidence" that Benfield attempted to stop or take evasive action before striking the cyclists.

Two riders, Milligan University sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, were pronounced dead at the crash site, according to the university.

Seven other cyclists suffered serious or critical injuries, the affidavit states.

IMMIGRANT TRUCK DRIVER ADMITTED TO US UNDER BIDEN ALLEGEDLY KILLS UMASS SOCCER STAR, SPOKE NO ENGLISH Milligan said in a statement that the university was "profoundly shocked and saddened" by the deaths and asked the public to keep the victims, their families and the campus community in their prayers.

"There are no words to adequately describe this level of loss," the university said.

"Our prayers are with all those impacted by this tragedy.

Please keep the Milligan community in your prayers." FOLLOW US ON X An arrest affidavit also said officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from Benfield’s vehicle.

The document does not say whether Benfield was impaired, and he was not charged with driving under the influence in the warrant.

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