Two members of a Christian university cycling team have been killed in a crash involving a car in the United States.

Seven other students were injured, four critically, in the incident in Tennessee. The eleven students, from Milligan University, which is a private Christian school in Elizabethton, were on a training ride when the crash occurred at around 8am on Wednesday.

69 year old John Alexander Benfield from North Carolina, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by recklessness and five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle by recklessness. He could also face additional charges.

In a statement, Milligan University said it was "profoundly shocked and saddened" by the news and named those who died as Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, who were both in their second year (10th grade) at the college.

"There are no words to adequately describe this level of loss,” the statement continued. “Our prayers are with all those impacted by this tragedy. Please keep the Milligan community in your prayers.”

Milligan President Stephen Waers said: "It is more important than ever right now that we are a community gathered around Jesus. We need Jesus deeply. I'd like to invite you into prayer with us, grief with us and to prayer for the families of those we have lost, into prayer for those who are still receiving treatment. Lord Jesus, we need you; have mercy."

Major Roy Brown of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said authorities were working to determine exactly what happened:

“We know the families and Milligan University deeply want answers, and we want to provide those answers, but it's our responsibility to ensure that we conduct a fair investigation thoroughly and provide facts based on that investigation.”

Two of the injured students have now been discharged from hospital.