Conroe native Kyle Ray Bennett, a former Olympic BMX cyclist and international champion, died in a car crash early Sunday, authorities said. He was 33.
Bennett, who had a reputation as a role model to young bikers with a smooth-riding technique, recently earned a spot in the BMX Hall of Fame as the team captain of the U.S.'s first Olympic team when the sport made its debut in Beijing in 2008.
"He made it big-time and made good money and a great living, but he never forgot where he came from," said Keith Arnst, a family friend and former owner of Armadillo BMX, south of Conroe.
Bennett had been training at the racetrack Saturday. He was driving to Conroe about 2:15 a.m. Sunday to meet his fiancée, when the accident occurred.
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