Milligan University students Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers were killed in the crash. (Milligan University)
Two members of a college cycling team were killed, and multiple others were injured after a car crashed into the team on a Tennessee highway.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the crash involved the Milligan University cycling team and happened in Carter County in upper East Tennessee.
Milligan University cyclists killed
Two members of the Milligan University cycling team were killed an accident involving a vehicle while cycling in Hampton, Tennessee.
What we know:
According to Milligan University, the cyclists were riding on Highway 19 near Simerly Creek Road in Carter County when the crash occurred.
Sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers were killed in the crash. Local hospital officials said seven other victims arrived at the hospital after the crash, with four of them in critical condition.
What we don't know:
It’s still unclear what led to the crash, but authorities did say that John Benfield, 69, of Newland, North Carolina, has been arrested and booked into the Carter County Jail on two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle.
What they're saying:
In a statement released Wednesday, Milligan University said "we are profoundly shocked and saddened" by the news.
"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."
"Today has been an extraordinarily difficult day for a lot of people in upper East Tennessee," Tennessee Highway Patrol shared in a Facebook post. "Families have lost loved ones. Others are waiting for news about people who were hurt. Teammates, coaches and an entire university community are trying to process something no one expected when this day began."
The Source: This report includes information from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Milligan University.