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A former Bengals running back was killed in a motorcycle crash in Austin, Texas on Saturday night.

Cedric Benson, 36, was on a motorcycle with a woman in her 30s traveling westbound on RM 2222 in West Austin when the bike struck a minivan that was pulling onto the roadway, according to TMZ. Both Benson and the woman who has not yet been identified were pronounced dead at the scene.

The people in the minivan were not injured and stayed on scene to work with investigators. Police say the driver of the minivan will most likely not be charged with a crime.

Cops say speed and poor visibility were factors in the crash.

Benson played for the Bengals from 2008-2011, his longest stint with any team. While in Cincinnati, he rushed for 1,109 yards and 21 touchdowns over four years.

He played eight years total for three teams, starting with the Chicago Bears and ending with the Green Bay Packers. He finished his NFL career with 6,017 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns.

He was the fourth pick overall in the 2005 draft. After receiving the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back, as a consensus All-American during his senior year at Texas. As a Longhorn, he rushed for over 1,000 yards in all four seasons as he piled up 5,540 rushing yards and 64 rushing TDs throughout his career.

The Cincinnati Bengals released statements:

Said Bengals president Mike Brown: “Cedric was a fine football player for us. He played a principal role for several years here, including a couple of playoff runs. He was from Texas, and he showed his Texas toughness in leading us to a Division Championship in just his second season with us. His three consecutive 1000-yard seasons displayed the talent he possessed. Our organization is deeply saddened by his sudden and tragic passing. The Bengals extend our deepest condolences to Cedric’s family.”

Added former Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson: “Once he bought into our system, he was like a flower. He just blossomed. He gave us an element we didn’t have. We had complementary guys, but Cedric gave us a missing element. He was a good man. He was one of my guys, and it hurts. Life is too short.”

(Source)