Since even before the end of the college football season, University of Miami All-American defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. has seen his name in the headlines mostly debating whether or not he will be a Top 10 pick.
In the next 10 days before the draft, those headlines are going to be much different after Bain was linked to a fatal car crash in 2024, in which he was cited for careless driving.
“Rueben Bain, a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, was involved in a fatal traffic collision in Miami in March 2024, according to records and reports,” The Read Optional’s Oliver Connolly wrote on Sunday. “The incident has not been previously reported. Bain, then a sophomore at the University of Miami, was driving on Interstate 95 in Miami at 4 a.m. on 17 March 2024 when his vehicle struck another car before careering into concrete barriers on both sides of the highway, according to police crash records. One of four passengers in Bain’s car, Destiny Betts, a 22-year-old college student from Georgia who was visiting Miami for spring break, suffered incapacitating injuries and was rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center from the scene. She never regained consciousness. Betts died on 13 June 2024, after spending almost three months in a coma.”
More Details on Fatal Car Crash in 2024
According to documents obtained by TRO, another passenger was hospitalized with injuries, and 2 other Miami players were in the vehicle — linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly.
The vehicle was owned by a company called Miami Sports 27 Inc. and Bain was not administered a field sobriety test at the scene. The charge against Bain was dismissed 2 weeks later, while Betts was still on life support.
“Destiny is a smart, caring young woman working towards her college degree,” Betts’ family wrote on a GoFundMe page in March 2024. “Aside from the emotional toll that this has taken, the financial strain on her dad has been overwhelming. He has had to take time off work to be by Destiny’s side, missing out on crucial income during this already expensive time in Miami.”
How Scandal Will Impact Bain’s Draft Status
Bain has been college football’s dominant defensive lineman over the last 3 seasons, culminating in him leading the Hurricanes to an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game following the 2025 season.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager projected Bain at No. 8 overall to the New Orleans Saints in his latest mock draft.
“New Orleans said farewell to many defensive leaders this offseason, as Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor will all likely be elsewhere next season,” Schrager wrote. “And short arms be damned; the powerful and disruptive Bain is viewed as a top-10-worthy prospect after a 9.5-sack season. This seems like a good match.”
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski identified Bain as one of just a handful of prospects who could “redefine an NFL defense.”
Betts’ family asked for privacy in a statement to TRO: “As her family, we remain deeply committed to honoring her memory in a meaningful and appropriate way. Destiny’s passing was the result of a tragic accident that occurred several years ago. While the loss remains incredibly painful for our family, we have worked hard to find peace and move forward. At this time, we are not seeking public attention surrounding this tragedy and respectfully request that our family’s privacy be honored. We also wish Mr. Bain the best as he continues his life and career.”
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