Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was denied parole on Thursday, five years after killing a woman in a car crash in Las Vegas. A judge sentenced Ruggs to a minimum of three years and a maximum of ten years of incarceration for his role in the fatal November 2, 2021, car accident.
Ruggs killed Tina Tintor, 23, and her dog when he crashed into her vehicle while traveling at 156 miles per hour. When tested within two hours of the crash, authorities reported that his blood alcohol content was .016 – twice the legal limit.
The Raiders first-round pick in the 2020 draft pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The judge sentenced him on Aug. 9, 2023.
On Thursday, the Nevada Parole Board ruled, following a May hearing, on whether to release Ruggs from prison. During that hearing, Ruggs’ father told the board, “Every single day my son is also deeply affected by this tragedy. He has shown genuine remorse and sorrow for what happened, and he understands that a life was lost, something that can never be undone.”
Ruggs himself said during the hearing that he took “full responsibility for my actions that led to Ms. Tintor’s death and her dog, Max.”
According to 8 News Now, a representative from the parole board said they needed four votes to approve his parole. If the board had granted him parole, authorities would have probably released Ruggs from prison in August.
That same parole board representative also said Ruggs will likely have his next hearing in about a year. Documents from the parole board show that Ruggs will next be eligible for parole in August 2027.
What has Henry Ruggs been doing while in prison?
During his time in the Nevada Department of Corrections, Ruggs, who played football for the University of Alabama, completed his college education. He informed commissioners that he had taught cardio to other prisoners and had finished a DUI course. He also said that he had received counseling and spent a month in a Long Beach, California, mental health facility.
“Mr. Ruggs, and our office, continue to feel the grief and loss suffered by Ms. Tintor’s family,” Henry Ruggs’ attorneys said in a statement following his parole denial.
“However, we are disappointed by the Parole Board’s decision to deny parole despite overwhelming evidence of Mr. Ruggs having accepted responsibility for his conduct, having engaged in community outreach efforts related to DUI prevention, and having completed significant educational programs while in custody. While we respect the Board’s role, we disagree with its conclusion.”