According to an EMS report, Benson was one of two people who died in a crash between a motorcycle and a minivan at around 10:22 p.m. local time.
The report said a “vehicle and person on fire” was found at the scene, CBS Austin reported.
Benson was on the motorcycle with a woman, who was in her 30s, and also died at the scene. Two other people involved in the accident refused to be seen by medical officials.
Police told KVUE that “speed and poor visibility were the biggest factors in the crash.”
“If you’re not really careful, or you’re going slightly over the speed limit, it is very difficult to stop,” Sergeant Eric Wilson said.
After being selected fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, Benson played for the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and Green Bay Packers. His last year in the league was 2012.
Before that, he played college football for the Texas Longhorns. He is the 10th-leading rusher in college football history.
His college coach, Mack Brown, wrote in an Instagram comment: “We lost a great one way too soon. #RIP.”
Notable Celebrity Deaths in 2019
John Singleton
John Singleton, died in late April after a stroke, attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, Calif., on March 4, 2018. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Nipsey Hussle
The rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot dead in late March, and Lauren London in Los Angeles, on Feb. 7, 2019. (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)
Luke Perry
Undated file photo of Luke Perry. (Newsmakers)
Peter Tork
Peter Tork of the Monkees died at 77 in February 2019. (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Albert Finney
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)
James Ingram
Longtime R&B singer James Ingram died in late January. Quincy Jones, a collaborator of his, wrote, “With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James Ingram was simply magical ... every beautiful note that James sang pierced your essence and comfortably made itself at home.”
Singer James Ingram died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)
Fatima Ali
“Top Chef” alum Fatima Ali died on Jan. 25, after a battle with terminal cancer. She was 29.
Former “Top Chef” contestant Bruce Kalman paid tribute to her, “It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer.”
“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram)
Carol Channing
Carol Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television, died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll said Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)
Bob Einstein
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Comedian and actor Bob Einstein died on Jan. 2 after a battle with cancer. He was 76.
Daryl Dragon
Daryl "The Captain" Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)
Daryl Dragon, or “Captain,” of pop group Captain and Tennille, died on Jan. 2 of renal failure.
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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