Fourth-Place Medal

Kyle Bennett, Olympic BMX cyclist, dies in single-car wreck

By | Fourth-Place Medal – Mon 15 Oct, 2012

Sad news from the world of cycling, as Olympian Kyle Bennett has died in a single-car wreck in Conroe, Texas, near Houston.

Bennett, who was 33 at the time of his death, was a three-time BMX world champion and part of the first-ever U.S. BMX Olympic team in 2008. Nicknamed "Butter" for his smooth style, which you can see in the video above, Bennett did not reach the medal round of the Beijing Olympics.

The wreck that claimed Bennett's life occurred at 2:16 a.m. on Sunday. According to the Montgomery County Police Reporter, Bennett's 2006 Toyota Tundra was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the road and hit a ditch and an iron gate. Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene. The newspaper reported that he was not wearing a seat belt.

"All of us at USA Cycling were deeply saddened to learn this morning of the tragic and untimely loss of Kyle Bennett," said USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson in a statement. "Kyle was a pioneer in Olympic BMX and an inspiration to those of us that knew him. He will be sorely missed, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Bennett is survived by his fiance and his daughter Kylie.

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