Former NFL, Texas RB Cedric Benson dies

Former NFL running back Cedric Benson died Saturday in a motorcycle crash, his lawyer confirmed to The Associated Press.

He was 36 years old.

Benson was on a motorcycle with an unnamed woman when they were hit by a minivan, according to KVUE's Jeff Bell. Emergency services responded to the accident around 10:20 p.m. and said one of the vehicles was on fire when they arrived.

Both Benson and the woman, also in her 30s, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others apparently suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said they believed "speed and poor visibility were the biggest factors in the crash."

Benson was selected by the Chicago Bears with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft following a standout career at Texas.

The running back struggled to cement his place during three seasons in Chicago but revitalized his career over a four-year stretch (2008-11) with the Cincinnati Bengals that included three 1,000-yard seasons.

Benson signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2012 but suffered a foot injury after five games and never suited up in the league again. He racked up 6,017 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns during his NFL career.

At Texas, he was a four-year starter and won the Doak Walker Award as the country's top running back in 2004.