Henry Ruggs car accident latest
FORMER Las Vegas Raiders star Henry Ruggs’s prison sentence could be doubled after prosecutors have added charges against him following the horror car crash that killed Tina Tintor, 23.
Ruggs was initially charged with two felony charges of DUI and reckless driving resulting in death.
But now Clark Country prosecutors intend to also charge him with DUI and reckless driving resulting in substantial bodily harm for injuries that his girlfriend Rudy Washington suffered during the crash, as reported by Clutch Points.
Additionally, prosecutors also aim to charge Ruggs with a misdemeanor for a loaded gun that was allegedly found in his car.
Ruggs could face up to 46 years in prison if convicted of all the charges.
Meanwhile, a new video surfaced of Henry Ruggs’ corvette flying down the road mere seconds before the car fatal crash.
Ruggs’ car was clocked at 156mph, the precise speed he was going before he slowed to 127mph and slammed into Tintor’s vehicle.
In a second video released by TMZ Sports, what appears to be Tina Tintor’s car drives into the frame is the same make and model, and is positioned in the same space police say she was when the crash occurred.
Tina Tintor’s childhood friend shared that the 23-year-old was hoping to go into the computer science programming field before she was tragically killed this week.
Bojana Filipovic shared with 8 News Now that Tintor was from Serbia, and immigrated to the US when she was about five years old.
Filipovic also said that Tintor loved animals, and revealed that her friend hoped to return go to college to pursue a career in the computer science programming field.
Tintor and her dog’s lives were tragically cut short Tuesday, when her car became engulfed in flames, after being smashed into by former NFL star Henry Ruggs’s speeding Chevrolet Corvette.
Ruggs, 22, appeared in court Wednesday, where he was accused of driving 156 mph while intoxicated and had a loaded illegal firearm at the time of the crash, which occurred in the central Las Vegas area at around 3am on Tuesday.
He is scheduled to return to court on November 10.
Read our Henry Ruggs live blog for the latest news and updates…
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ANOTHER RAIDERS STAR INVOLVED IN CRASH
Damon Arnette hit a driver in October last year at around 65mph, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
The outlet reports that cornerback Arnette missed his turn into the Raiders’ facility and was turning to make it when he allegedly hit his accuser.
Pictures show damage to both cars.
Arnette is accused of “illegally left the scene of the crash” in the lawsuit.
Police records show he was cited after Arnette said he left the scene “because he was running late to a meeting at work”, leaving a friend to provide his details.
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VICTIM ‘WOULD NEVER SPEED’
Bojana Filipovic, the victim’s best friend, said the two were hanging out and walking Tintor’s dog at a park close to her home on the day of the deadly crash.
“She was beautiful, smart, intuitive, she always knew right from wrong. She would always slap some sense into me,” Filipovic exclusively told The Sun.
“She was also a great driver. She would never let me speed.”
Filipovic explained that the two usually did not hang out at night but said both had worked during the day, so she decided to get together.
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VICTIM’S MOM RECOGNIZED BURNING CAR
Tintor’s mom told friends she has recognized her daughter’s burning car on TV news reports.
“Hey this could be her car, I checked the news,” Tina mother told her daughter’s best friend Bojana Filipovic, who recalled the conversation in an interview with The Sun.
Tina’s boyfriend has been left “crushed” by her loss, Filipovic said.
On the night that Tintor would not make it home alive, she and Filipovic had been spending time together at a local park before bidding goodnight.
“I left her at 3.30 and she got into the crash 15 minutes later,” the mourning pal recalled. “We were just hanging out at the park and then going home.”
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GOFUNDME FOR VICTIM
Tina’s brother Djordje Tintor has now started a GoFundMe page for Tina, which has so far raised $23,000.
Heartbroken Djordje thanked supporters for the “outpouring of love and support” the family have received.
In an emotional tribute, he said “Those who knew Tina know that she was a beautiful loving soul that always put everyone before herself.
“Whether she knew you or not, Tina was the type of person that would give you the food off of her plate to make sure you weren’t hungry.
“Tina was the shoulder to cry on, the ear that made you felt heard, and the friendly smile you needed when you made a bad joke.
“From our hearts to yours, we thank you for thinking of Tina and Max, and we really appreciate your support.”
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VIGIL HELD FOR TINA TINTOR
A vigil was held at the intersection at Rainbow Boulevard and Spring Valley Parkway near the Sunset Strip in honor of Tina.
The 23-year-old burned to death along with her golden retriever Max in the flaming wreckage of her SUV after an allegedly drunk Ruggs slammed his speeding Corvette sports car into her Toyota Rav 4 early Tuesday morning.
Tearful mourners attending the vigil lit candles and left multiple stuffed animals and flowers in tribute to her.
Attendees could be seen holding candles as the sound of Las Vegas traffic was heard whizzing by.
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WHEN DOES HENRY RUGGS RETURN TO COURT?
The 22-year-old has been charged with two felony counts, DUI, and reckless driving, which could earn him up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
He was booked into the Clark County Jail in Las Vegas.
Ruggs III appeared before a local judge on November 3, 2021. A judge set his bail at $150,000. He will also have to abstain from alcohol and other controlled substances. He was ordered to surrender his passport and he cannot drive.
He is slated to return to court on November 10.
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WHAT CAR WAS HENRY RUGGS DRIVING?
Ruggs was driving a Chevrolet Corvette when it crashed into the rear of a Toyota Rav4.
The 2022 model of the Chevrolet Corvette, called the Stingray, is a sports car that is priced on the market for more than $60,000.
It was revealed during his court appearance that he was allegedly driving 156 mph two seconds before the crash occurred.
When his car’s airbags deployed, Ruggs’ was reportedly going 127 mph.
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COURT APPEARANCE
Ruggs appeared in a wheelchair with a foam neck brace at an arraignment hearing on Wednesday.
The judge set Ruggs’ bail at $150,000 with the highest level of electronic monitoring if he is released.
He has been ordered to not drive, to abstain from alcohol and other controlled substances, and will surrender his passport.
Tina’s devastated family members attended the court appearance and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said he met them for the first time.
“They’re torn apart,” he said. “This was a terrible, terrible collision, so they’re mourning their loss. They’re grieving. They’re mad.”
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TINA TINTOR’S BOYFRIEND ‘CRUSHED BY LOSS’
Tina, 23, died early on Tuesday morning in a fireball crash after Ruggs slammed into the back of her Toyota Rav-4 after reaching a speed of up to 156mph while allegedly driving drunk – and a close friend exclusively told The Sun her partner is devastated.
“She had a boyfriend, Randall,” Bojana Filipovic, Tintor’s best friend, exclusively told The Sun. “They’d been together almost two years now.
Filipovic recalled how she and Tintor had been enjoying an early morning together just minutes before the friend would see her and her pooch for the last time.
“He’s crushed and feels terrible, don’t we all,” the friend, who asked to remain anonymous, said.
“We all lost our best friend.”
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WITNESS SAYS ‘HE TRIED EVERYTHING HE COULD’ TO SAVE VICTIM
While the tragic encounter lasted less than 10 minutes, witness Tony Rodriguez said it “felt like a lifetime.”
Speaking to Tintor’s family, he said: “I’m sorry. I tried everything I could. My friend as well. I’m sorry.”
“I haven’t slept since the accident. It’s horrific. It’s sad that somebody could be going that fast and cause that accident like that. I’m sorry.”
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RUGGS’ GIRLFRIEND SURVIVED THE CRASH
Rudy Washington, with whom Ruggs has a young daughter, suffered “serious” injuries and was rushed to hospital.
The nature of her injuries are currently unclear but police described them as non-life-threatening.
Ruggs, meanwhile, suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital on Tuesday. Police say he showed “signs of impairment” at the scene.
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HENRY RUGGS’ BACKGROUND
Before his arrival to the league, Ruggs was a superstar for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning a national championship in 2017.
Ruggs was having a breakout year for the Raiders in his second season, recording 24 receptions, 469 yards, and two touchdowns this season.
The Raiders last played on October 24, a 33-22 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.
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VICTIM’S BROTHER: TINA ‘ALWAYS PUT EVERYONE BEFORE HERSELF’
In an emotional tribute, Tina Tintor’s brother Djordje said “Those who knew Tina know that she was a beautiful loving soul that always put everyone before herself.
“Whether she knew you or not, Tina was the type of person that would give you the food off of her plate to make sure you weren’t hungry.
“Tina was the shoulder to cry on, the ear that made you felt heard, and the friendly smile you needed when you made a bad joke.
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GOFUNDME SET UP FOR TINA TINTOR
The brother of Henry Ruggs crash victim Tina Tintor has set up a GoFundMe page and thanked supporters for the “outpouring of love” for her.
Tina’s brother Djordje Tintor has now started a GoFundMe page for Tina, which has so far raised $23,000.
Heartbroken Djordje thanked supporters for the “outpouring of love and support” the family have received.
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WHAT WAS RUGGS’S BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT?
Ruggs refused a breathalyzer test at the scene, police said, but later blood tests were taken at the hospital allegedly showed his intoxication levels of 0.161, more than double Nevada’s legal blood alcohol content.
In court, prosecutors alleged the star was found to be illegally possessing a firearm.
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RUGGS WAS ‘UNRESPONSIVE’ AFTER CRASH, PART 3
Police noted Ruggs’ silence over critical questions related to his suspected DUI and say he kept his eyes shut despite police asking him to open them.
“As I spoke with Ruggs I asked if he would open his eyes,” the report stated.
“At that time, Ruggs refused to answer any questions nor cooperate by opening his eyes.”
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RUGGS WAS ‘UNRESPONSIVE’ AFTER CRASH, PART 3
The officer apparently took note of Ruggs’ slurred speech which was reduced to “not understandable” and described his attitude in the report as “unresponsive.”
While he was recovering from the car crash in the hospital, the police report depicts Ruggs as refusing to cooperate with hospital staff – and even unwilling to open his eyes when asked.
“As medical staff advised Ruggs to stop removing the medical equipment, Ruggs began to yell, ‘Get me the f*** out of here,’” according to the report.
It added: “Ruggs continued to yell from his bed and refused to listen to hospital staff and yelled they were not doing anything for him.”
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RUGGS WAS ‘UNRESPONSIVE’ AFTER CRASH, PART 2
When police sought his perspective, Ruggs allegedly claimed he couldn’t remember and dismissed them with a curt “no” several times.
At one point during investigators’ questioning, Ruggs allegedly explained how he was on his way to his home prior to the fatal collision.
“When I asked Ruggs to clarify, he just repeated, ‘home, home,’ and then began mumbling,” the officer wrote in the report, the television station reported.
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RUGGS WAS ‘UNRESPONSIVE’ AFTER CRASH
The gridiron athlete was described in the police report as being especially uncooperative and aggressive with hospital staff and the investigators trying to determine what led up to the deadly crash.
Following the crash Ruggs was taken to University Medical Center of Southern Nevada.
It was there that investigators tried quizzing Ruggs and he allegedly told them to “get him out of here,” the report said, according to 8 News Now.
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‘MAY TINA REST IN PEACE’
While Tintor’s family hasn’t commented on her demise, the Naqvi Injury Law released the statement on their behalf.
It reads: “Tina’s tragic loss has devastated her family beyond a grief they could ever comprehend.
“Family was everything to Tina, and she was the light of her parents’ life.
“Tina lived in Las Vegas since she was a baby.
“She loved her 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Max, who passed alongside her Tuesday morning.
“The Tinto family appreciates privacy as they mourn.
“May Tina rest in peace.”
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IS RUGGS OUT ON BAIL?
Judge Joe Bonaventure set Ruggs’ bail at $150,000 with the highest level of electronic monitoring.
State prosecutors had sought a $1 million bond.
After posting bail, Ruggs was ordered not to drive, to abstain from alcohol and other controlled substances, and has surrendered his passport.
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NOT THE FIRST TIME
In 2009, Donte’ Stallworth, Cleveland Browns wide receiver was suspended without pay for the season for violating the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
Stallworth pled guilty to a DUI manslaughter charge in Florida, which is similar to what Henry Ruggs may be faced with following his fatal crash this morning.
“I urge NFL fans not to judge NFL players or me based on my tragic lapse in judgment,” Stallworth said upon learning of his suspension. “I am a good person who did a bad thing.”
“I will use the period of my suspension to reflect, fulfill my obligations, and use this experience to make a positive impact on the lives of those who look up to NFL players.”
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RUGGS’ GIRLFRIEND SEEN PLEADING FOR HELP AFTER CRASH
Henry Ruggs and girlfriend Rudy Washington can be seen hugging and crying on the floor just yards away from the horror smash in newly released video.
In the video – obtained by TMZ – Ruggs can be seen crying on the floor as he is comforted by Washington.
He tells her “f***, stop yelling” as she apologizes.
One witness tells law enforcement: “That’s Henry Ruggs right here. That’s Henry Ruggs right here. He plays for the Raiders.”
A woman – believed to be Washington – shouts: “Can we get help? Can you please help him? He is knocked unconscious.”
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WITNESS SAYS ‘HE TRIED EVERYTHING HE COULD’ TO SAVE VICTIM
While the tragic encounter lasted less than 10 minutes, witness Tony Rodriguez said it “felt like a lifetime.”
Speaking to Tintor’s family, he said: “I’m sorry. I tried everything I could. My friend as well. I’m sorry.”
“I haven’t slept since the accident. It’s horrific. It’s sad that somebody could be going that fast and cause that accident like that. I’m sorry.”
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RUGGS ‘HAD BEEN STOPPED FOR USING PHONE WHILE DRIVING’
The dropped Las Vegas Raiders star, 22, is said to have used his cell at the wheel of his 2021 Ford Mustang SE in April of this year.
In court records, first obtained by The Las Vegas Sun, Ruggs received a citation after police say they saw him on a “cellular device at steering wheel level while operating a motor vehicle at highway speeds.”
He was also pulled over and cited for “traveling a motor vehicle while still on an Alabama issued driving license for year” while living in Nevada, documents show.
It is not clear if the matter has been resolved; a court date had been set for July.