A 19-year-old student-athlete who is from Lake County and was a sophomore in college was among two who died when a vehicle crashed into multiple bicyclists in Tennessee Wednesday.
Milligan University, based in Elizabethton, Tennessee, announced Wednesday that they were “profoundly shocked and saddened” to share that members of their cycling team were involved in a crash with a vehicle while cycling in Hampton, Tennessee, on Wednesday morning.
Sophomores Haylan Engdahl, 19, and Brayden Rogers were killed in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.
Multiple other Milligan cyclists were also seriously injured and seven were transported to Johnson City Medical Center for treatment.
“There are no words to adequately describe this level of loss. Our prayers are with all those impacted by this tragedy. Please keep the Milligan community in your prayers,” the university said in a statement.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the incident happened on Highway 19 near Simerly Creek Road in Carter County.
Multiple medical helicopters responded to the scene to transport injured victims to the hospital.
“First Responders and troopers are working at the scene. Drivers should avoid the area and use alternate routes until further notice,” the highway patrol said.
Ballad Health said two of the victims were stable and four were in the surgical intensive care unit.
Engdahl was a Winthrop Harbor native and graduated from Christian Life School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2025.
USA Cycling said they are “deeply saddened” to learn of the tragic crash involving the Milligan University Cycling team.
“Our hearts go out to the two student-athletes whose lives were taken far too soon, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, as well as to the riders who were injured,” USA Cycling said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Haylan and Brayden’s families, their teammates, friends, coaches, and the entire Milligan University community as they navigate this incredibly difficult time,” they said.
John Benfield, 69, of Newland, North Carolina, was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and five counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle in connection with the crash.
Carter County District Attorney General Steven Finney said the cycling team involved was “elite” and “not a bunch of just club guys getting together to ride.” “They know what they’re doing. They rode in a peloton.”
Benfield remains held in custody and the Tennessee Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident.