Milligan cycling crash suspect arrested in NC on $3M bond

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — The man charged in a crash that killed two members of the Milligan University cycling team is back in jail on a $3 million bond, officials with Avery County Jail confirmed Wednesday. John Benfield, 69 of Newland, N.C. was arrested and booked to Avery County Jail Wednesday afternoon for an out-of-state fugitive charge, the detention center confirmed. An arrest warrant was filed in Carter County Tuesday for Benfield along with a bond violation, according to court documents obtained by the Johnson City Press. According to the violation of bond supervision, Benfield failed a random drug screening on Monday for both alcohol and THC. In the violation document, his supervising officer wrote that Benfield admitted to using THC daily, and last used THC on Aug. 18 — the day before the Highway 19E crash — and last drank alcohol Saturday. Benfield posted a $300,000 bond following a court appearance Thursday in Carter County. He's not allowed to consume any alcohol or illegal drugs while out on bond, per his supervision contract. The 69-year-old is charged in Tennessee with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of reckless aggravated assault. Law enforcement say Benfield was driving his 2004 Subaru Baja Sport when he crashed into members of the Milligan University cycling team on U.S. Highway 19E in Carter County. Shortly after the crash, Milligan University identified the two sophomore students killed in the crash as Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers. Six others were initially hospitalized for their injuries. As of Sunday, three patients remain hospitalized at Johnson City Medical Center and are in stable condition, according to Ballad Health's most recent update. The National Transportation Safety Board announced Monday that it is investigating the crash with Tennessee Highway Patrol. A court date has not yet been set for Benfield in North Carolina, but he is set to appear in Carter County court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 31.