The 2021 season for the Las Vegas Raiders was one full of many controversies and issues, but none were more tragic than what happened involving former first-round pick Henry Ruggs III.
The 12th overall pick in 2020 out of Alabama, the Raiders hoped he would become a major part of the team’s future. But in November of 2021, Ruggs killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog when he ran into her car while driving over 150 mph while intoxicated.
It was an absolute tragedy, and now that case has been settled with Ruggs pleading guilty to the crimes he committed and being sentenced to 3-to-10 years in prison, via Caroline Bleakley of 8 News Now:
Henry Ruggs, a former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver, was sentenced Wednesday morning for a fiery crash that claimed the life of a young woman and her dog and ended his career with the NFL team.
Ruggs, 24, was sentenced to between 3 and 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to driving 156 mph under the influence and crashing into a car killing 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog in November 2021. Prosecutors said his blood alcohol level was 0.1 which is twice the legal limit.
The sentencing took 20 minutes and the Las Vegas courtroom was filled with family and supporters of the Ruggs as well as Tintor’s family members.
Ruggs accepted a plea deal back in May of this year that would lessen the charges being served against him but would guarantee he served jail time. He will have to serve at least three years with his time on house arrest, which he has been since the crash, not counting towards the sentencing.
Prior to the sentencing, Ruggs read a statement apologizing for his actions on that night, saying that he let down his family and believes this will begin the process of his healing. Ruggs also added that he plans on bringing awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving.
Unfortunately, there really is nothing that can be done or said to bring back the life of the young woman who perished in the crash, and Ruggs will have to live with that for the rest of his life. Hopefully, he will be able to grow into a better person and help prevent others from making the same mistake he did.
While his football career may be over, Ruggs still has the ability to help people in a big way if he chooses to.
