Former University of Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. has been linked to a fatal traffic collision that occurred in March 2024 in Miami, according to reports based on police documents and investigative records reviewed by multiple outlets.
The crash took place on March 17, 2024, at approximately 4 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound. Bain was a sophomore at the University of Miami at the time and was driving a 2021 Land Rover SUV with three passengers inside.
According to the crash report, the vehicle initially struck another car before veering out of control. It then hit a concrete barrier on one side of the highway, rebounded across lanes, and struck another barrier before coming to a stop on the shoulder.
One of the passengers, Destiny Betts, a 22-year-old college student from Georgia visiting Miami for spring break, sustained severe injuries in the collision.
She was transported from the scene to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition. Reports indicate she remained in a coma for nearly three months before dying on June 13, 2024.
Two other passengers in the vehicle, both University of Miami football players, were also involved in the crash and were hospitalized with injuries.
The crash report also identified Bain as the driver and stated that he was cited for careless driving following the incident.
According to records cited in the report, no field sobriety test was administered at the scene.
The citation issued to Bain was later dismissed before Betts’ death while she was still hospitalized. Authorities have not announced any criminal conviction connected to the case, and no formal finding of criminal liability has been made.
The vehicle involved was reportedly owned by a company registered as Miami Sports 27 Inc. After the initial impact with another vehicle, the SUV sustained significant damage from repeated collisions with highway barriers before coming to rest.
In a statement shared through a fundraising page during Betts’ hospitalization, her family described her as a dedicated and hardworking student and asked for privacy while she remained in critical condition.
Following her death months later, the family referred to the incident as a tragic accident and stated they had been focused on grieving privately and honoring her memory.
The crash resurfaced in 2026 amid increased scrutiny of Bain as he emerged as a top NFL draft prospect. Analysts and league sources have reportedly been monitoring the incident as part of broader evaluations of player backgrounds.
Bain, who delivered a strong collegiate season after returning from the 2024 incident, has been projected as a high selection in the upcoming draft due to his performance on the field.
Reports also indicate that teams have continued to review details of the crash and related records, though opinions vary on whether the incident will affect his draft status.
Some league sources have compared the situation to past cases in which off-field concerns influenced draft positioning.
Bain has not publicly commented on the details of the investigation. The University of Miami football program has also not issued additional statements beyond acknowledging awareness of the matter when previously asked.
As of now, the case remains a topic of discussion in draft circles, with teams weighing both the documented facts of the 2024 crash and Bain’s athletic profile.
No additional charges or legal proceedings have been announced in connection with the incident since the original careless driving citation was dismissed.
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