Your 2N2222 is probably destroyed by the very high flyback voltage made by the relay coil when its current is turned off. The relay coil needs a reverse-biased diode across it to eliminate the high voltage.
Most transistors show the saturation voltage loss on their datasheet when they are turned on HARD with the base current 1/10th their collector current. Their current gain is shown with plenty of collector to emitter voltage so they ARE NOT SATURATED!
hfe is AC current gain.
hFE is DC current gain when the transistor has plenty of collector to emitter voltage so IT IS NOT SATURATED.
The 2N2222 is spec'd to have high hFE when its collector to emitter voltage is 10V or more, THEN IT IS NOT SATURATED.
Most transistors show the saturation voltage loss on their datasheet when they are turned on HARD with the base current 1/10th their collector current. Their current gain is shown with plenty of collector to emitter voltage so they ARE NOT SATURATED!
hfe is AC current gain.
hFE is DC current gain when the transistor has plenty of collector to emitter voltage so IT IS NOT SATURATED.
The 2N2222 is spec'd to have high hFE when its collector to emitter voltage is 10V or more, THEN IT IS NOT SATURATED.