Ex-NFL Ruggs Accepts Plea Deal, 3-10 Years Prison

Henry Ruggs, a former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver, pleaded guilty to DUI resulting in death on Tuesday as part of a plea deal. The agreement may lead to his imprisonment for a period of between three to ten years. At 24 years old, Ruggs faced a potential 50-year prison sentence for his role in a fatal collision on November 2, 2021, which took the life of 23-year-old Tina Tintor. His formal sentencing is scheduled for May 10.

The prosecutors on the case did not offer any immediate remarks regarding the plea deal. Within the terms of the deal, Ruggs also acknowledged guilt in relation to misdemeanor manslaughter. Though he provided little verbal response in court, Ruggs confirmed his understanding of the deal by responding with a simple "Yes, your honor."

Defense attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, representing Ruggs, stated that the plea agreement marked "the first step toward a fair resolution to this matter." They went on to express hope for a sense of closure for everyone involved in the case. Evidence revealed that Ruggs was driving at a staggering 156 mph in his Chevrolet Corvette just moments prior to the tragic collision. At the time of impact, his vehicle was clocked at a speed of 127 mph despite a posted speed limit of only 45 mph.

Results of a blood-alcohol test conducted two hours after the crash indicated a level of 0.16% in Ruggs' system, double the legal limit. The force of the collision propelled Tintor's Toyota RAV4 down the road approximately 571 feet, at which point the vehicle was consumed by flames. Tragically, Tintor and her pet dog both perished in the fire.

Ruggs suffered a leg injury in the crash, while his passenger, girlfriend Je'nai Kilgo-Washington, required surgery to treat an arm injury she incurred during the accident. As part of the plea agreement, multiple charges against Ruggs will be dropped, including felony reckless driving and driving under the influence causing severe injury. The latter charge related to the injuries sustained by Kilgo-Washington, who chose not to cooperate with prosecutors.

Since his arrest, Ruggs' bail was set at $150,000, and he was placed under house arrest for 18 months. Additionally, he was mandated to undergo alcohol monitoring. Following the crash, the Raiders severed ties with Ruggs, and he has not played for the NFL since.