Ruggs, who was waived by the Las Vegas Raiders following the collision, had entered a guilty plea to lesser charges following objections from his legal team regarding the methods used by the police to obtain a blood sample.
Henry Ruggs III, a former Raiders wide receiver, was sentenced to at least three years in jail by a judge on Wednesday for his involvement in a crash that claimed a woman’s life in Las Vegas in 2021.
Ruggs entered a guilty plea in May to a felony charge of driving while intoxicated after he collided his sports car with Tina Tintor’s, 23, sport utility vehicle on November 2, 2021. In accordance with the terms of a plea deal, Judge Jennifer Schwartz sentenced Ruggs to a maximum of 10 years in jail on Wednesday, with the possibility of parole after three years.
As per the authorities, at 3:40 a.m., Ruggs, a 24 year old first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, was speeding at up to 156 miles per hour in his Corvette when he collided with Tintor’s S.U.V., causing it to catch fire and killing both Tintor and her dog, Max.
The blood alcohol content of Ruggs was recorded at 0.16, which is twice the legal limit in Nevada. Additionally, his girlfriend, Kiara Kilgo-Washington, sustained injuries. Ruggs was cut by the Raiders several hours after the collision.
In accordance with his agreement, Ruggs entered a guilty plea to one count of vehicular manslaughter, a misdemeanor, and one count of driving under the influence resulting in death in Nevada’s Eighth Judicial District Court in May. Three initial felonies were dropped by the prosecution: two counts of reckless driving and driving while intoxicated causing bodily harm, as well as a misdemeanor charge of carrying a gun while intoxicated.
Ruggs’ defense attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, accompanied him as he entered the courtroom dressed in a dark suit and tie. Ruggs declared that his acts were “not a true reflection of me” after reading a prepared statement.
In front of Tintor’s family members in the courtroom, Ruggs stated, “I’ve searched for a way to find the answers for my selfish behavior on that day for the past 21 months.” “I have no justification, and I sincerely hope that by taking responsibility and entering a guilty plea, I will be able to start the healing process and help everyone else involved do the same.”
Schwartz referred to the case as “one of the most tragic” she has ever encountered before imposing the punishment. Additionally, Tintor’s mother, Mirjana Komazec, wrote a statement that was read by a family spokesman and stated, “Every parent’s worst nightmare is to create a beautiful child only to have them taken away at the hands of another’s negligence.”
