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Monday, Oct 15, 2012 11:00 AM UTC

Olympic BMX cyclist dies in Texas auto accident

Kyle Bennett was a three-time BMX world champion

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Topics: Texas, Olympics, From the Wires, obituary, BMX, car accident,

Olympic BMX cyclist dies in Texas auto accidentFILE - In this Aug. 20, 2007, file photo, Kyle Bennett of the United States does a bar-twist as he clears a jump during qualifying for the UCI BMX Supercross race at the Olympic BMX course in Beijing. Bennett was killed in an automobile accident early Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in eastern Texas. He was 33. (AP Photo/Greg Baker, File)(Credit: AP)

HOUSTON (AP) — Olympic BMX cyclist Kyle Bennett has been killed in an automobile accident in eastern Texas. He was 33.

A statement from USA Cycling says the single-vehicle crash happened early Sunday in Conroe, Texas, north of Houston.

Bennett was a three-time BMX world champion and won an automatic spot on the first U.S. BMX Olympic team in 2008.

In the statement, USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson said Bennett was a pioneer in Olympic BMX cycling and an inspiration to those who knew him.

Bennett is survived by his fiancé and a young daughter.

Associated Press

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