NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was driving 156 mph and had a blood alcohol level of .161 before crashing into another car and killing a woman and her dog, prosecutor Eric Bauman said on Wednesday (Nov. 3).
Ruggs, who was released from the Las Vegas Raiders following the crash, was charged with felony DUI resulting in death, which carries a sentence of two to 20 years in prison. He also faces a felony reckless driving charge, which carries a sentence of one to six years.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the fatal crash occurred on Rainbow Boulevard in Las Vegas early on Tuesday morning (Nov. 2). Las Vegas Metro Police say the athlete’s Chevrolet Corvette hit the rear of a 2013 Toyota Rav4, which then caught on fire.
Ruggs and his female passenger, Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, with whom he shares a daughter, were taken to a hospital after the crash and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Toytoa, identified as 23-year-old Tina O. Tintor, died at the scene.
Ruggs’ bail was set on Wednesday at $150,000. Judge Joe Bonaventure also ordered the 22-year-old to stay away from alcohol and other controlled substances. Furthermore, Ruggs will not be allowed to drive and was forced to surrender his passport.
On Tuesday, Ruggs’ attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said they were investigating the incident and asked “everyone to reserve judgment until all the facts are gathered.’’
Prior to releasing Ruggs, the Raiders shared a statement saying they were “in the process of gathering information.’’
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim of this horrific tragedy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We will continue to gather facts and monitor the matter under our policies, but our thoughts at this time are with those impacted by this devastating incident.’’