Reuben Bain Charged After Fatal Crash

Reuben Bain, the former Miami defensive end and expected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been charged with careless driving linked to a car accident in 2024 that left a passenger in his vehicle deceased after a three-month coma.

As reported, Bain was driving on Interstate 95 at around 4 a.m., just a few months into his freshman year with the Hurricanes. His vehicle, which included teammates Wesley Bissein and Nyjalik Kelly, struck another car and subsequently crashed into concrete barriers along the road.

The fourth occupant, 22-year-old Destiny Betts, was visiting from Georgia for spring break. She suffered severe injuries and spent months in a coma after being taken to Ryder Trauma Center but tragically passed away in June 2024.

Although Bain initially faced careless driving charges, they have since been dropped. A police report indicated he operated the vehicle in a “careless or negligent manner.” It’s uncertain whether this incident will impact Bain’s draft prospects. CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones noted that most teams feel satisfied with Bain’s explanation, though there’s some lingering uncertainty.

Some unnamed sources have suggested that Bain might not have been fully transparent about the events surrounding the crash. This has led to comparisons with the situation involving Laremy Tunsil’s infamous gas mask incident in 2016.

The family of Destiny Betts expressed their commitment to honoring her memory, stating that the loss remains painful but that they wish to keep this tragedy out of the public eye. They also conveyed their best wishes to Bain for his future endeavors.

On the field, Bain had a standout season in 2025, leading the nation with 83 pressures while recording 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, which contributed to Miami’s run to the national championship game.