2026 NFL Draft prospect and former Miami Hurricanes star Rueben Bain was involved in a 2024 car accident that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman, a report from The Read Optional revealed on Sunday, April 12.
Bain, 21, was cited for careless driving on March 17, 2024, at around 4 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound in Miami, Florida, according to an accident report obtained by the outlet. Bain’s teammates, Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly, were also in the 2021 Land Rover SUV at the time, along with 22-year-old Destiny Betts.
The report states that Bain’s vehicle rear-ended another before veering into one concrete barrier and ricocheting into another. Betts was taken to Miami’s Ryder Trauma Center where she spent nearly three months in a coma before succumbing to her injuries that June.
A court dismissed the careless driving citation against Bain two weeks before Betts’ death and no field sobriety tests were given. There has been no finding of criminal liability in connection with the crash or her death, according to The Read Optional.
Us Weekly has reached out to Bain for comment.
“As her family, we remain deeply committed to honoring her memory in a meaningful and appropriate way,” Betts’ family said in a statement to The Read Optional. “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.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Bain is ranked as the No. 15 NFL Draft prospect on ESPN’s Big Board as the defensive end helped lead the Hurricanes to an appearance in the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship game.
NFL executives, however, may be wary about drafting someone with his baggage.
“We are concerned about multiple incidents,” one team executive told The Read Optional. “We are waiting for the other shoe.”
The story did not specify what the other incidents are, but Bain was also cited for careless driving in 2025. A defective citation resulted in another dismissal, according to Outkick’s Trey Wallace.
Another executive added, “It feels like it could be [Laremy Tunsil] all over again. It doesn’t feel like [Bain] has been transparent with us.”
Tunsil, 31, was projected as a top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft before a video of him wearing a gas mask and smoking a bong surfaced on social media just minutes before the draft began. He fell to No. 13 overall.
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