WNC News -- August 27, 2026: A Newland, North Carolina man accused in the deadly crash involving the Milligan University cycling team is back in custody and held without bond in Tennessee after violating the conditions of his release.
John Alexander Benfield, 69, was arrested in Avery County on Wednesday, August 26, on a fugitive warrant. Benfield waived extradition the same day and was transferred to the Carter County Detention Center in Elizabethton.
Benfield was originally taken into custody on August 19 following a collision on U.S. Highway 19E near Simerly Creek Road in Hampton, Tennessee. Authorities reported that Benfield was driving a 2003 Subaru Baja Sport behind another vehicle in the outside lane. When the leading vehicle moved over to the inside lane, Benfield failed to observe a group of approximately 10 Milligan University cyclists conducting a morning training session ahead of him. According to Tennessee Highway Patrol affidavits, investigators found no physical evidence of braking or evasive steering prior to the impact.
The crash claimed the lives of two Milligan University sophomores:
Haylan Engdahl, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
Brayden Rogers, of Huntsville, Alabama
Multiple teammates sustained severe injuries, requiring several cyclists to be airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center for emergency trauma treatment.
Benfield was formally charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle. He was initially released from jail on August 20 after posting a $300,000 bond. As part of his release agreement, court orders strictly prohibited him from operating motor vehicles and mandated random alcohol and drug monitoring.
According to court filings, Benfield submitted to a mandatory screening on Monday, August 24, testing positive for both alcohol and THC. Supervised release documents indicate he admitted to consuming alcohol on August 22, violating Rule 14 of his monitoring contract. A Carter County judge subsequently issued a warrant for his rearrest, leading to his apprehension in North Carolina.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continue their active investigations into the crash. Benfield remains detained in Carter County awaiting further court proceedings.