Two Milligan University Cyclists Killed in Tennessee Crash; Driver Charged
Two Milligan University cyclists died and seven were injured after a car hit their group in Tennessee. The driver faces vehicular homicide charges.
A tragic collision on a northeastern Tennessee highway Wednesday morning claimed the lives of two Milligan University cycling team members and left seven others injured, according to state officials.
The accident occurred in Hampton, about 11 miles from the campus, as 11 cyclists were on a routine training ride. The university, a private Christian school with just over 1,200 students, confirmed the group was struck by a car.
Milligan University President Stephen Waers identified the deceased as sophomores Haylan Engdahl of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and Brayden Rogers of Huntsville, Alabama. In an emotional video message to the campus community, Waers urged students to support one another, saying, "We need to help our brothers and sisters bear burdens that are too great for any one person to carry alone."
Carter County District Attorney Steve Finney said a 69-year-old man from North Carolina was arrested and faces two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle with recklessness.
The injured student-athletes were taken to Johnson City Medical Center. As of Wednesday evening, four were in critical condition, two were stable but hospitalized, and one had been discharged, according to Dr. Bracken Burns, the hospital's trauma medical director.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Officials noted the speed limit on that stretch of Highway 19 is 50 mph.
The Milligan men's cycling team had recently won a team time trial national championship at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road Nationals in Wisconsin earlier this year.