# Milligan Univ cycling team decimated by driver while on training ride **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** breaking-news\ **Created:** [August 20, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451 "2026-08-20T14:02:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/1 "2026-08-20T14:02:15Z")
11 member of the Milligan University (TN) cycling team were out for a training ride when a driver [plowed](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-students-killed-driver-charged-crash-tennessee-college-cycling-tea-rcna593466) into them. Two of the cyclists, Haylan Engdahl & Brayden Rogers were killed & seven others injured, including four still in critical condition & two in stable condition. This YahooSports [article](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2-milligan-university-students-dead-053023274.html) has a picture of his vehicle; how do you do that much damage to the front of your vehicle by plowing into 11 people & not see them? Just in case that article is updated/deleted below is the photo I’m talking about. Oh wait, one of the articles stated there was an odor of marijuana coming from his vehicle & he was arrested & is charged with two counts of vehicle homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness, with possible more charges coming. @#$%& stoned asshole ruined a lot of lives, including his own yesterday. [![](https://media.zenfs.com/en/ny_post_sports_articles_389/217766447e63046c7b9eabffdd4b71e1.jpg) ](https://media.zenfs.com/en/ny_post_sports_articles_389/217766447e63046c7b9eabffdd4b71e1.jpg) I used to race bikes myself. I used to ride a lot, but between the drunks, stoners, & texters I’m scared to be on the roads anymore. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/2 "2026-08-20T14:19:07Z")
Terrible tragedy so devastating so senseless. 10 years ago a man in Kalamazoo struck and killed 5 cyclists injuring 5 more. Second degree murder. I also dont understand the animosity some sober people have towards cyclists. Dgaf about their reasons either. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/3 "2026-08-20T14:29:26Z")
Additionally, on Mar 31, '22 one of their runners was killed & two teammates injured in a DUI crash in a pre-track meet warmup run. If I was a college-aged athlete, I’d be scared to go there at this point. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/4 "2026-08-20T14:37:59Z")
[**JFC**](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/jfc). ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/5 "2026-08-20T14:46:18Z")
I’m surprised this kind of tragedy hasn’t happened before, or more frequently considering how many accidents occur every day. IMO, riding any bike on a road with automobile traffic is only asking for trouble, not that it was the biker’s fault. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/6 "2026-08-20T14:48:34Z")
The second (lower) photo could be my HS graduation photo. Somehow that makes it more personal. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/7 "2026-08-20T15:01:40Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > IMO, riding any bike on a road with automobile traffic is only asking for trouble I’ve got to call you out on that, as legally, it should not be. All (or at least most) states have wording in their motor vehicle code very similar if not identical to > [@Vehicle code](#): > > **Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles.** > > **(a) General rule**.–Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title, except as to special provisions in this subchapter and except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application. as the source is the federal [MUCTD](https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/). Now I don’t disagree with you & I’ve already stated above that I’ve stopped cycling, partially because I don’t want my headstone to read, “He was dead right to ride on the road” but it’s absolutely the wrong attitude. Too many times cyclists are treated as ~~second~~ _third_ class citizens & even when you take video evidence to the PD they won’t do anything about it. Not just anecdotally, I have multiple first-hand experiences with it, including a traffic sergeant whose advice to me was, & I quote here, “Don’t ride in the township” because they wouldn’t set the loop sensors properly. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/8 "2026-08-20T15:11:32Z")
Damn. Riding/running as a group is often touted as safer because more visibility but that’s little help if a driver is just driving recklessly, distracted or impaired … Looks/sounds from reports like he just plowed straight through the whole peloton, prelim police reports say he was following another vehicle too fast/close and when the other vehicle changed lanes to avoid the cyclists he just kept going. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/9 "2026-08-20T15:14:07Z")
[Update](https://nypost.com/2026/07/20/us-news/nj-driver-accused-of-killing-nhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-bro-desperate-to-boost-his-case-court-hearing-shows/) on the manslaughter case against the driver accused of running into and killing the Gaudreau brothers while they were riding their bikes. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/10 "2026-08-20T15:25:48Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I used to race bikes myself. I used to ride a lot, but between the drunks, stoners, & texters I’m scared to be on the roads anymore. No kidding. I used to be a cycling fool growing up, but I’d never expose myself on a bike in Chicagoland. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/11 "2026-08-20T15:33:12Z")
Wow, this is near where I grew up. They also competed against my college in several sports. That’s terrible to hear. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan\_myers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@aruvqan\_myers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan_myers)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/12 "2026-08-20T15:47:23Z")
Horrible, my Ghu, that could have been a passel of kids, not college students [not that it is better nor worse, just imagine a whole neighborhood full of kids getting wiped out] Hope they throw the book at him. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/13 "2026-08-20T16:03:05Z")
> [@aruvqan\_myers](#): > > Hope they throw the book at him. So far 2 counts reckless vehicular homicide and 5 reckless aggravated assault charged, and authorities indicated there may be more. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/14 "2026-08-20T16:09:56Z")
Killing people with a car, truck, 18 wheeler, the penalties are just not that great, considering. Potentially, yes. But in practice it doesn’t seem to work out that way. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/15 "2026-08-20T18:25:08Z")
Horrible story, and something I worry about in my own life since I cycle a lot. I do less paved road cycling, but still about 25 miles per week. I’m doing a lot more gravel and dirt road cycling (did a quick 15 mile gravel ride this morning before work), and at times I think it is safer, but there are a lot of blind corners and hilltops and people don’t necessarily stick to their side of the road when there aren’t lines. I ride with a bright jersey, neon green helmet, and have daytime running lights. I’ve been struck by 4-wheeled vehicles once while cycling and once while on a motorcycle. Luckily both events barely hurt me (my bike and motorcycle didn’t fare as well). My wife was also ran over as a pedestrian and suffered traumatic brain injuries and extreme leg injuries. People: Please pay attention when behind the wheel of death machines. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/16 "2026-08-21T01:11:53Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > IMO, riding any bike on a road with automobile traffic is only asking for trouble, not that it was the biker’s fault. One could just as well say that driving a motor vehicle on a road with bicycles is asking for trouble. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/17 "2026-08-21T11:27:47Z")
Agreed. I avoid bikers when driving, and I never bike on abusy streets. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/18 "2026-08-24T13:42:33Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > One could just as well say that driving a motor vehicle on a road with bicycles is asking for trouble. Hardly. The driver in this case injured nine, including two fatally & four critically, yet he was not injured because he was in the safety cocoon of his almost-two ton missile. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/19 "2026-08-24T21:08:31Z")
Would you dispute the statement that this driver was asking for trouble? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451/20 "2026-08-24T22:14:05Z")
No, driving baked is illegal & asking for trouble, whether on not there are cyclists on the road. > [@WJHL](#): > > The affidavit goes on to claim that before the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) arrived and took control of the scene, a county deputy reported detecting an odor of marijuana emitting from Benfield’s vehicle. You made it sound like the cyclist being on the road was a problem for the driver but they were 100% legal to ride there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milligan-univ-cycling-team-decimated-by-driver-while-on-training-ride/1032451.md?page=2)