Kyle Bennett: BMX Pioneer Dead Following Car Accident in Texas

BMX standout Kyle Bennett was involved in a single-car accident early Sunday morning that took his life. 

The Washington Post's Cindy Boren reported the sad news and added that the accident occurred near his home in the Houston, Texas area. 

Boren passed along these details of the accident:

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[Bennett's] 2006 Toyota Tundra truck, traveling at a high rate of speed, left the road and struck a wrought-iron gate, a culvert and several trees in a residential area, according to the Montgomery County police.

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ESPN's Pat Nugent adds the following information:

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Bennett was alone in the vehicle, and no other vehicles were involved. Police at the scene reported that Bennett was not wearing his seatbelt when the accident occurred.

Bennett was reportedly responding to a break in of his fiancée's car when the accident happened.

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Bennett, 33, became a member of the BMX Hall of Fame this past June, was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, a three-time UCI world champion and a three-time NBL champion.

After beginning his career in 1999, Bennett retired from the sport in 2012. He was a true pioneer in the sport and a main figure in pushing BMX riding into a new age and growing the sport's popularity. 

USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson released this statement, which comes to us via Yahoo! Sports: 

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All of us at USA Cycling were deeply saddened to learn this morning of the tragic and untimely loss of Kyle Bennett. 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.

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I think it goes without saying that this is a huge loss for the BMX world, and Bennett will be dearly missed while his contributions will never be forgotten.

As Boren reports, Bennett leaves behind his fiancee and is survived by his four-year-old daughter.