Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was sentenced to between three and 10 years in Nevada state prison Wednesday following a November 2021 car crash that led to the death of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog.
Ruggs’s sentence comes after the 24-year-old accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of DUI and one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in May. Ruggs was driving at 156 mph when he crashed into Tintor, and his blood alcohol level (0.16) was two times higher than the legal limit, according to prosecutors.
Before Ruggs received his sentence, he apologized to Tintor’s family and parents in a statement that he read inside the court.
“I sincerely apologize for my actions the morning of Nov. 2, 2021,” Ruggs said, per KLAS-TV in Las Vegas. “My actions are not a true reflection of me.”
Ruggs also said he plans to address the dangers of drinking and drunk driving as part of his “healing process.”
The crash took place at 3:39 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2021, as Ruggs drove his Chevy Corvette into the right lane from the center on a three-lane road. As a result, Ruggs hit the rear end of Tintor’s car, a Toyota RAV4, which went up in flames.
Tintor was trapped inside the burning car. Firefighters attempted to rescue her but were unable to do so.
Less than 24 hours following the crash, the Raiders released Ruggs. The former Alabama star was initially charged with DUI that led to death, DUI resulting in bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving leading to death or substantial bodily harm and the possession of a firearm while under the influence.
However, when he accepted the May plea deal, it lessened his charges to the two he was sentenced for in court on Wednesday.
