Report: NFL Draft Prospect Rueben Bain Jr. Linked to Fatal 2024 Car Accident
A report has surfaced revealing that Miami Hurricanes edge rusher and projected top 10 NFL Draft pick Rueben Bain Jr. Was involved in a Rueben Bain Jr. Fatal car accident in March 2024. The collision, which occurred while Bain was a sophomore at the University of Miami, ultimately resulted in the death of a 22-year-old passenger.
According to records obtained by The Read Optional and reported by CBS Sports, the incident took place around 4 a.m. On March 17, 2024, on I-95 in Miami. Bain was driving a 2021 Land Rover SUV at the time of the crash.
Details of the I-95 Collision
The crash occurred when Bain’s vehicle rear-ended another car before veering into a concrete wall. The SUV then ricocheted into another barrier before coming to a stop on the highway shoulder. At the time of the impact, Bain had four passengers in the vehicle, including former Hurricanes football players Nyjalik Kelly and Wesley Bissainthe.
One of the passengers, Destiny Betts, a 22-year-old college student, suffered severe injuries. She was rushed from the scene to the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, where she fell into a coma. Betts never regained consciousness and died on June 13, 2024, nearly three months after the accident.
A second passenger was also hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the collision, though no further details regarding their condition were provided in the reports.
Legal Proceedings and Police Findings
The police report regarding the incident stated that Bain “operated his vehicle in a careless or negligent manner.” Based on these findings, he was cited for careless driving.
However, that specific charge was dismissed approximately two weeks before Betts passed away. Records indicate that no field sobriety test was conducted at the scene of the accident.
In a statement provided to The Read Optional, the family of Destiny Betts described her passing as the result of a “tragic accident.” They emphasized that they are not seeking public attention and requested that their family’s privacy be honored as they continue to move forward from the loss.
NFL Draft Implications and Current Status
The revelation comes as Bain is viewed as one of the premier defensive prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite the reported incident, Bain has remained a focal point of draft evaluations, consistently projected as a top 10 selection.
Bain recently participated in the Miami Pro Day on March 23, 2026, at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility in Coral Gables, Florida. (For those unfamiliar, a Pro Day is a university-hosted event where draft prospects perform drills and tests—such as the 40-yard dash—to showcase their athletic capabilities for NFL scouts and general managers).
As the 2026 draft approaches, the reports of the 2024 crash may introduce new scrutiny regarding the prospect’s off-field history, though the legal charges related to the crash were dismissed.
Key Incident Timeline
- March 17, 2024: Rueben Bain Jr. Involved in a multi-vehicle crash on I-95 in Miami.
- June 13, 2024: Passenger Destiny Betts dies after three months in a coma.
- March 23, 2026: Bain participates in the Miami Pro Day.
- April 13, 2026: Public reports surface regarding the details of the 2024 accident.
The NFL community and draft analysts will likely monitor how teams weigh this information during the pre-draft process. For more updates on the 2026 draft class, follow our continuing coverage at Archysport.
The next major checkpoint for the 2026 NFL Draft will be the official combine results and team visits. Share your thoughts on how teams should evaluate off-field reports in the comments below.
