Henry Ruggs sentenced for fatal crash

Handed down Wednesday, this sentence comes nearly two years after Ruggs was arrested for his role in a car accident that killed a woman and her dog in Las Vegas. Ruggs, 24, entered his guilty plea May 10. Ruggs will serve his sentence in the Nevada state prison.

Accused of reaching speeds of 156 mph while impaired in the crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor, Ruggs faced a harsher prison sentence if convicted. The former first-round pick was hit with several charges — DUI resulting in death, DUI resulting in bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm and possessing a firearm while under the influence. An accepted plea deal reduced the charges to DUI resulting in death along with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

“I sincerely apologize for my actions the morning of Nov. 2, 2021,” a Ruggs statement read. “My actions are not a true reflection of me.”

Ruggs’ Corvette collided with Tintor’s Toyota RAV4, launching the woman’s vehicle 571 feet and setting it on fire. The accident occurred just west of The Strip. Ruggs and a female passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. The former wide receiver refused a field sobriety test, but blood tests approximately two hours later revealed a blood-alcohol level of .161 — more than twice the legal limit.

Not given any credit for the time he has spent on house arrest since the accident, Ruggs must serve at least three years in prison. 

The Raiders selected the Alabama alum 12th overall in 2020, making the deep threat the first receiver chosen that year. The team waived Ruggs hours after the crash.