Kari AndersonContributing writerMon, April 13, 2026 at 12:49 AM UTC·2 min readProjected first-round NFL draft pick Rueben Bain Jr. was involved in a 2024 vehicular crash in Miami that led to a passenger’s death, according to a police report obtained by Oliver Connolly of the newsletter The Read Optional.
The Miami edge rusher was cited in March 2024 for careless driving after causing a crash that led to the incapacitation of a 22-year-old woman, who later died after spending three months in a coma.
Bain, who spent the past three seasons at Miami, is projected to go 10th overall in Yahoo Sports’ most recent mock draft.
According to the police report cited by The Read Optional, Bain was driving on Interstate 95 at 4 a.m. on March 17, 2024, with four passengers in the car when he clipped another car and collided with concrete barriers on both sides of the freeway. Bain was cited as driving the car — a black Land Rover owned by a company called “Miami Sports 27 Inc” — in a “careless or negligent manner.” No sobriety test was given at the crash scene, The Read Optional reported.
One passenger, Destiny Betts, suffered incapacitating injuries in the crash and was taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial. Another female passenger was also injured and taken to Jackson North Hospital. Betts, a 22-year-old from Georgia, died on June 13, 2024.
Two of the other passengers were teammates with Bain at Miami: linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and edge Nyjalik Kelly, who later transferred to UCF. Bain, Bissainthe and Kelly were not transported to any medical facilities with injuries.
Per The Read Optional, Bain’s reckless driving charge was dismissed by a court in June 2024, two weeks before Betts died.
Via a statement, Betts’ family told 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. 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.”
According to multiple reports, teams in the NFL are aware of the incident and are investigating. It is unclear if it will affect Bain’s draft standing.