Ruggs involved in crash that killed another driver
Receiver facing DUI charge after fatal accident
Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III will be charged with DUI resulting in death after he was involved in a fatal car crash early Tuesday morning, Las Vegas police said.
The 22-year-old Ruggs was treated for non-lifethreatening injuries at a nearby Las Vegas hospital after his Chevrolet Corvette allegedly crashed into a Toyota Rav4 around 3:39 a.m. and killed a woman, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s report.
Officers responding to the collision in the Central Las Vegas Valley area found a deceased victim inside the Toyota that was engulfed in flames. Both vehicles had sustained heavy damage, with debris scattered on Rainbow Boulevard near Spring Valley Parkway. A preliminary investigation revealed Ruggs’ car rearended the victim’s vehicle, police said in a statement.
Ruggs was on the scene of the crash when authorities arrived and was cooperative, although the police report say he “showed signs of impairment.” There was no indication of what injuries Ruggs suffered.
An unidentified female passenger in Ruggs’ car was transported to the hospital with unspecified injuries, the Associated Press reported.
Charges against Ruggs were not immediately filed because Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said he would wait for the results of the police investigation.
“The Raiders are aware of an accident involving Henry Ruggs III that occurred this morning in Las Vegas. We are devastated by the loss of life and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family. We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time,” the Raiders said in a statement.
Ruggs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, released a statement saying they will conduct their own investigation and asked that “everyone reserve judgment until all the facts are gathered.”
According to Nevada law, DUI resulting in death carries a minimum prison sentence of 2 years, and a maximum of 20 years. A conviction would also included fines up to $5,000 and a 3-year license suspension. While charges can oftentimes be pleaded down, probation isn’t an option for anyone convicted of DUI that causes death.
While there’s no indication yet on Ruggs’ physical condition following the crash, his status with the Raiders this season is obviously in question, with NFL sanctions pending. The Raiders had their bye week last week and will travel to New York to face the Giants on Sunday.