As President of BikeWalk NC’s Board and the former Program Coordinator of the country’s only academic bicycling minor degree at Lees-McRae College, it saddens me to share the devastating news that this past Wednesday, August 19th, while the Milligan University cycling team was on a training ride in Tennessee on Hwy. 19 E, a driver struck members of the cycling team. Two riders, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, were killed, and several others were seriously injured.
The driver, John Benfield of Newland, North Carolina, has been criminally charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of reckless aggravated assault by the Tennessee prosecutor. Further charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
As this criminal prosecution proceeds, let us hope that the prosecutors remain steadfast in holding the driver accountable for his actions.
On behalf of BikeWalk NC and its members, our prayers and wishes go out to their immediate family members, but we recognize the chilling effect this has beyond their families. This tragedy has a chilling effect on the whole collegiate bicycling community; it goes to all who bicycle, regardless of their reason, and to those who have yet to bicycle but now may not.
No family should have to receive the call that theirs did. No cyclist should have to wonder whether a training ride, a commute, or a trip to the store will end safely.
We owe it to Haylan, Brayden, their teammates, and every person who rides to keep working toward a North Carolina where active transportation is safe for everyone.
This tragedy only strengthens BikeWalk NC’s commitment, to continue advocating for safer roads, better infrastructure, and thoughtful transportation design so that everyone can be safe while traveling on our roadways.
Ted Silver
BikeWalk NC Board President
