Following the Milligan Cycling Team crash on Aug. 19, three Milligan cyclists were discharged while three remain hospitalized.
“As of 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, three patients remain hospitalized at Johnson City Medical Center and are in stable condition on medical-surgical units. The patients continue to recover, and our teams remain focused on providing the care and support they need throughout their healing process,” Ballad Health released a statement. John Benfield, 69, of North Carolina, struck the group of 10 cyclists in his 2003 Subaru Baja Sport in the fatal crash around 9 a.m. on U.S. Highway 11E. Sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers were killed, while seven other cyclists were taken to Johnson City Medical Center.
According to the affidavit, Benfield “failed to observe the group of bicyclists traveling ahead of him” in the same lane.” Benefield had allegedly been following the vehicle in front of him at a speed that “did not allow him sufficient time or distance to perceive and react to the roadway conditions.” Benfield was taken to Carter County jail upon arrest.
Benefield has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness.
