Kyle Bennett, Olympic BMX Champion, Killed In Texas Auto Accident

Kyle Bennett, a popular BMX cyclist and sport champion, was killed Sunday in an auto accident in East Texas.

Kyle Bennett, 33, was involved in a single-car accident in which reports indicate speed and lack of a seatbelt may have contributed, precipitating the tragic outcome. Auto World News gave the following report of Bennett’s death, saying:

“[Kyle] Bennett was driving his 2006 Toyota Tundra pickup truck on Sunday when the vehicle left the roadway while … traveling over the legal speed limit. The truck then hit a wrought iron gate, a culvert pipe and multiple trees before it finally stopping upside down in a ditch according to the Montgomery County police report.”

According to the site, first responders were able to extricate Bennett from the wreckage, but the Olympic racer had already died by the time he was removed from the truck. The site also cites a police report indicating that Bennett’s speed may have been down to the fact someone had just broken into his fiancée’s car.

Fellow BMX cyclist Derek Betcher commented on his friend’s death, saying:

“Rest in peace to father, friend, Olympian, multi-World Champion, hall of famer, legend, and all around awesome person with such effortless style and flow, Kyle Bennett … I was always so inspired by watching you ride, and equally inspired by your humble personality. I’ll remember all the good times, my friend. You’ll be forever missed.”

No other cars or people were involved in the accident that killed Kyle Bennett. The athlete leaves behind a fiancée and a small daughter, Kylie, who is four.