A rising football star is now facing difficult questions tied to a tragic incident that had not been publicly reported until now.
According to records reviewed by The Read Optional, Rueben Bain, a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, was involved in a serious crash in Miami in March 2024 that ultimately resulted in a fatality.
At the time, Bain was a sophomore at the University of Miami.
Police records state that Bain was driving on Interstate 95 around 4 a.m. when his vehicle struck another car and then hit concrete barriers on both sides of the highway. Four passengers were in the vehicle.
One of them, 22-year-old Destiny Betts, suffered severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby trauma center. She never regained consciousness and passed away nearly three months later.
Another passenger was also hospitalized, while two of Bain’s teammates were in the car at the time.
According to the crash report, Bain was cited for careless driving, with authorities stating he operated the vehicle in a negligent manner. That citation was later dismissed. No criminal charges were filed in connection with the crash or Betts’ death.
Still, the situation is drawing attention ahead of the draft.
League sources told The Read Optional that teams are aware of the incident and continuing to gather information. Some have raised concerns about transparency as they evaluate Bain as a prospect.
For Betts’ family, the focus remains on her memory.
In a statement, they described her as a caring young woman and asked for privacy as they continue to process the loss.
As the draft approaches, the story adds a serious layer to Bain’s future, one that extends beyond football.
