Reuben Bain Jr., a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was involved in a serious car accident in Miami that resulted in the death of a passenger, according to a police report obtained by Oliver Connolly of The Read Optional newsletter. The Miami edge rusher was cited for careless driving following a crash in March 2024 that left 22-year-old Destiny Betts incapacitated; she tragically passed away after spending three months in a coma.
Bain, who played three seasons at Miami and is currently expected to be picked 10th overall in Yahoo Sports’ latest mock draft, was reportedly driving on Interstate 95 at 4 a.m. on March 17, 2024, with four passengers in his black Land Rover, owned by a company named Miami Sports 27 Inc. During the drive, Bain clipped another vehicle and crashed into concrete barriers on both sides of the freeway. The police cited him for careless or negligent driving, though no sobriety test was administered at the scene.
Destiny Betts suffered severe injuries in the crash and was treated at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial. Another female passenger was also injured and taken to Jackson North Hospital. Betts, originally from Georgia, died on June 13, 2024. Two other passengers, Bain’s Miami teammates linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly, who later transferred to UCF, were unharmed and not taken to any hospital.
The careless driving charge against Bain was dismissed by a court in June 2024, just two weeks before Betts passed away. Betts’ family released a statement to The Read Optional expressing their sorrow and asking for privacy, while also wishing Bain well in his future endeavors.
Multiple NFL teams are aware of this incident and are conducting investigations, though it remains uncertain whether this will impact Bain’s draft position. When asked about the situation, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes said, “We’ve known that for a while, so that doesn’t really change anything from our standpoint.”
Fan Take:
While this news directly involves the NFL, it serves as a stark reminder for NASCAR fans and the entire motorsport community about the crucial importance of responsible driving off the track. How athletes handle themselves in their personal lives can profoundly impact fans’ perceptions and the integrity of their sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
