Kyle Bennett

Kyle Bennett (born September 25, 1979 in Conroe, Texas U.S. - October 14, 2012) was an American professional "New/Current School" Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer and Dirt Jumper whose prime competitive years were from 1999 to 2012. He had the moniker "Butter" for his smooth riding style. On May 10, 2008 he won an automatic spot on the first US BMX Olympic team, a sport that made its debut in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He made it to the finals and finished sixth of the UCI World Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark after winning USA Cycling's year-long series of races as the highest ranking American. and becoming the first member of the BMX Olympic team. Jill Kintner became the second member of the team on 2 June 2008; Mike Day the third member on 15 June 2008; and Donny Robinson the fourth chosen on 25 June 2008. On 22 August 2008 Bennett raced with a reset dislocated shoulder from a quarter-final crash two days earlier and came sixth in his semi-final and did not qualify for the medal round. Kintner won the bronze, first American and third overall to win an Olympic medal in BMX. Mike Day became the second American (fifth overall) and highest ranking American by winning the silver; and Donny Robinson the third (sixth overall) with his bronze.

In the early hours of October 14, 2012, Bennett's 2006 Toyota Tundra pickup truck went off the roadway, while traveling at a high rate of speed. The truck smashed through a culvert pipe, a wrought-iron gate, and several other objects before coming to rest upside down. Responding EMTs extracted Kyle from the vehicle, and later pronounced him dead at the scene. Officials said he was not wearing a seat belt.