A fatal 2024 incident has cast a dark shadow over the draft prospects of Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., who finds himself at the center of controversy. Projected as a top-round selection at the 2026 NFL Draft, Bain is now under investigation by several NFL teams just weeks before draft day. Even with this cloud over him, big teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys are still showing interest in his talent and possible future in the league.

“News: Reuben Bain was cited for careless driving after a March 2024 crash in Miami that left a passenger in a coma. That passenger, a 22-year-old student, died three months later. NFL teams are aware and investigating, per sources.” Ollie Connolly posted on X.

Meanwhile, another NFL insider, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, noted, “Teams I’ve spoken with the past two months—outside of one—have been satisfied with Bain’s explanation. Most have considered the matter handled.”

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The Kansas City Chiefs, for instance, are already searching for a new edge rusher and remain interested in selecting the talented player from Miami. He is expected to be selected in the top 10 of the draft.

The Chiefs’ confirmed top 30 visit with Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. has only increased speculation about their draft plans. According to a mock draft on the team’s official website, Bain Jr. is projected at No. 9, while Tennessee CB Colton Hood is slotted at No. 29.

It is not just the Chiefs showing interest. The Dallas Cowboys also seem focused on strengthening their defense this season. ESPN insider Jordan Reid recently named Bain Jr. as one of two players believed to be on their radar in a potential trade-up scenario.

If the Cowboys add Bain alongside Gary and other outside linebackers like Donovan Ezeiruaku, they would get a powerful rusher with a quick first step and a relentless motor.

Bain had a productive year in 2025 after recording 54 tackles and 9.5 sacks. His dominant on-field performance earned him a slew of honors, including the Ted Hendricks Award, Consensus All-American status, and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.

Although there are questions about his arm length, his production and versatility across the defensive front make him a perfect option. The outcome of the league’s investigation now hangs over his top-10 projection, creating a high-stakes dilemma for teams at the top of the draft.

A look at Rueben Bain Jr.’s driving accident details

In March 2024, Rueben Bain Jr. was cited for careless driving after a collision that left a 22-year-old student with severe injuries. She passed away three months later.

The incident happened on March 17, 2024, when Bain Jr. was driving on Interstate 95 in South Florida shortly after 4 a.m. The crash report describes a chaotic sequence where Bain’s Land Rover, after hitting another vehicle from behind, careened into a concrete wall, shot across several lanes of traffic, and finally struck the opposite wall.

One of the four passengers in Bain’s car was Destiny Betts, a 22-year-old university student from Georgia who visited Miami during her spring break. She sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center, where she remained in a coma for almost three months before passing away on June 13, 2024.

Another passenger was also hospitalized. Two University of Miami teammates were in the car as well, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly, who later transferred to UCF. Both are eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The police report stated that Bain operated his vehicle in a careless or negligent manner. Though he was cited for careless driving, the charge was dismissed about two weeks before Betts passed away.

On October 10, 2025, Bain Jr. was cited again for careless driving while operating a 2025 Tesla Cybertruck. That case was dismissed in February this year due to a defective citation, according to Outkick.

For now, teams and the NFL continue to review the situation.