The brother of Haylan Engdahl, one of the Milligan University cyclists killed this week after being struck by a driver while training, has spoken out.
“My brother was murdered yesterday morning but my brother is so much more than just a murder victim,” Ryan Engdahl wrote via Instagram on Thursday, August 20. “My brother was not just a brother to me he was a brother to thousands of people. Everywhere he went he drew people in like a magnet and changed their life for the better.”
Ryan continued, “He always had this shining energy that just brightened people’s days. He is a man filled with joy and love. I am a blessed man to have the privilege to have you as my brother and witness the effect you had on many peoples’ lives. We are all mourning the loss of an amazing friend, son, and especially a brother to all of us. You will be missed, Haylan. ❤️❤️❤️ I love you.”
Haylan and his teammate, Brayden Rogers, both sophomores, died on the morning of Wednesday, August 19, when they were hit by a car on a road in Carter County, Tennessee. Seven other members of the cycling team were also injured and four were in intensive care as of Wednesday night.
The driver of the vehicle, John Benfield, was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness, according to First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney.
Benfield, 69, posted a $300,000 bond and has been released from jail, according to WJHL. A preliminary hearing is set for August 31.
It is not currently known if drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash, but investigators reported the smell of marijuana, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by News 5. Benfield was allegedly traveling “at a distance or in a manner that did not allow him enough time or distance to perceive and react to the cyclists,” the affidavit reports.
“There are no words to adequately describe this level of loss,” the university said in a statement after the accident. “Our prayers are with all those impacted by this tragedy. Please keep the Milligan community in your prayers.”
Before Wednesday’s incident, Haylan was involved in another crash in March, resulting in a broken femur.
“Although it sucks it could always be worse and I’m thankful to everyone that helped and got me through,” he wrote via Instagram at the time. “Spirits are still high and I know there’s a plan in all this but just for now I’ll probably be cheering from the sideline for a few months.”
