Henry Ruggs III, the former Las Vegas Raiders first-round draft pick whose NFL career ended in tragedy, was denied parole Thursday by Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners nearly five years after he crashed his sports car into another vehicle, killing a 23-year-old woman and her dog on the streets of Las Vegas.
Background
The Nov. 2, 2021 crash occurred when Ruggs, then just 24 years old and entering his third season with the Raiders, was driving his Corvette through residential streets in Las Vegas at speeds reaching 156 mph, according to prosecutors. He had been at TopGolf, a sports entertainment venue, before the crash.
Ruggs' vehicle struck the rear of Tina Tintor's car on Craig Road near Cimarron Road around 3:40 a.m., authorities said. The impact was so severe that investigators described the scene as catastrophic. Tintor, who was from Las Vegas, died at the scene along with her dog, Max.
Before the crash, Ruggs had been one of the NFL's most promising young receivers after being selected 12th overall in the 2020 draft out of Alabama. His career earnings exceeded $4 million, and he had endorsement deals that evaporated overnight when the news spread across sports media nationwide.
The Charges
Ruggs pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, avoiding a trial that would have exposed more details about his actions that night. Court documents filed by prosecutors indicated Ruggs' blood-alcohol level was 0.16%—twice the legal limit—when samples were taken within two hours of the crash.
He received a sentence of three to 10 years in Nevada state prison when he was sentenced in August 2023. Under Nevada law, inmates are typically eligible for parole consideration as they approach their minimum release date. According to Kathi Baker, executive director of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners, Ruggs will have another parole hearing approximately three months before his Aug. 24, 2027 mandatory parole release date.
Key Takeaways
- Tina Tintor was 23 years old when she was killed in the Nov. 2, 2021 crash alongside her dog Max
- Ruggs was driving at speeds up to 156 mph (251 kph) before slamming into Tintor's vehicle on Craig Road
- His blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.16%—twice Nevada's legal limit of 0.08%
- The former Alabama standout received a three-to-10-year prison sentence in August 2023 after pleading guilty
- Ruggs will not be released automatically in 2027; he must still demonstrate rehabilitation to earn parole
What's Next
Ruggs remains incarcerated at a Nevada state correctional facility while serving his sentence. His next opportunity for parole consideration comes approximately three months before Aug. 24, 2027, when he would reach the earliest possible release date under his current sentence.
His attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment following Thursday's denial.