At least some NFL teams are aware of a car accident involving potential top-10 2026 NFL draft pick Rueben Bain Jr. that led to a woman’s coma and eventual death.
Multiple league executives confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that they are aware of a crash report that says the former Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman was behind the wheel of the fatal crash.
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One of the passengers, Destiny Betts, died from injuries sustained during the crash following months spent comatose, according to a report from The Read Optional.
Documents obtained by The Read Optional first detailed Bain’s involvement in the incident. Bain was cited for careless driving. No field sobriety tests were performed, per the Read Optional. The charges were dropped prior to Betts’ death.
The accident occurred on March 17, 2024, around 4 a.m. on Interstate 95 in Miami as Bain drove northbound. Betts and two other Hurricanes players (Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly) were the passengers. According to The Read Optional, Bain’s vehicle rear-ended another car, veered into a concrete barrier and ricocheted into another barrier before resting on the shoulder of the highway.
Betts was taken to a trauma center and died June 13, 2024. She was 22.
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Sports Illustrated reported that a lawsuit associated with the case was settled in Miami.
“At this time, we are not seeking public attention surrounding this tragedy and respectfully request that our family’s privacy be honored,” Betts’ family told The Read Optional in a statement. “We also wish Mr. Bain the best as he continues his life and career.”
During the 2025 season, Bain became one of the most-feared pass-rushers in college football. He led the country in quarterback pressures and posted 9.5 sacks with 15.5 tackles for loss as Miami reached the College Football Playoff championship game. Bain has been a consensus top-10 prospect throughout the pre-draft process and has been widely prognosticated to be selected in the first half of the first round April 23.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rueben Bain was driver in car accident that led to woman’s death
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