Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs faces up to 46 years in prison

Peyton Renwick, Reporter

On Nov. 2, Henry Ruggs, a wide receiver for the Raiders, killed a twenty-three year old woman and her dog in Las Vegas while driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, hitting her car while driving at 156 mph. The speed of his vehicle was 127 mph when the airbags were deployed upon impact. Following the crash, the victim’s car promptly exploded into flames. The victim was identified as 23-year-old Tina Tintor, who was pinned inside the car following the crash and could be heard screaming from inside her car as it burned (Las Vegas Review Journal). 

Around 3 a.m., Ruggs was driving his Chevrolet Corvette and collided into the rear of Tintor’s Toyota RAV4. The accident was on Rainbow Blvd., near Spring Valley Park. He was going 156 mph in a 45 mph zone. The collision with the rear end of the car is what led to it catching flame.

As of Nov. 6, he is facing two additional felony charges for a DUI and reckless driving (TMZ), due to injuries suffered by his girlfriend Rudy Washington, who was his passenger at the time of the accident. He also will be facing an additional misdemeanor charge after police allegedly found a loaded gun in the car. He is now facing a maximum prison sentence of 46 years, if convicted on all counts (CBS).

Ruggs was also released by the Raiders a mere 17 hours after the crash, late on Tuesday. This came shortly after he was released from the University Medical Center and Booked into the Clark County Jail.

Generally, there is a lack of sympathy all around for Ruggs. Twitter user Eric Cohen expressed his own thoughts on Nov. 2, the same day of the crash. 

“With Uber/Lyft available, [there is] no reason to drive impaired. Henry Ruggs killed someone last night, ruined a family, and destroyed his career and life. Lock him up,” wrote Cohen.

For now, Ruggs was released on a $150,000 bond, and is being monitored electronically. He is confined to his home, unable to drive or consume alcohol (ESPN). The next time he is to leave his house arrest is for his hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, November 10.