LAS VEGAS — Police in Las Vegas say Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III will face a felony driving under the influence charge after a fiery vehicle crash early Tuesday that left a woman dead and Ruggs and his female passenger injured.
According to police, Ruggs was driving a Chevrolet Corvette that crashed a little before 3:40 a.m. into the rear of a Toyota Rav4 on a busy thoroughfare several miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Police say the Toyota caught fire and the driver died. The 22-year-old Ruggs “showed signs of impairment,” police said in a statement that said he will be charged with felony DUI resulting in death. Ruggs and his female passenger were hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III is accused of driving 156 mph just seconds before a crash in Las Vegas early Tuesday morning killed a 23-year-old woman.
According to Prosecutor Eric Bauman, Ruggs' blood alcohol level was .161, more than twice the legal limit.
Prosecutors said a loaded gun was also found in his car and that the victim's dog was also killed in the crash.
Ruggs, 22, made his initial appearance in court Wednesday morning in a wheelchair and neck brace. He's facing felony charges of DUI resulting in death and reckless driving.
The judge ordered a $150,000 bail for Ruggs and the highest level of electronic monitoring if he is released. Prosecutors requested a $1 million bail. He is due back in court on Nov. 10.
Ruggs was released by the Raiders on Tuesday night.
Police did identify Ruggs, 22, as the other driver and said he was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Ruggs was released from the hospital to a Las Vegas jail ahead of an initial court appearance Wednesday on multiple felony charges of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death and reckless driving, court records show.
The Las Vegas Raiders released a statement on Tuesday saying they are aware of the crash involving Ruggs III and are "devastated" for the loss of life.
Ruggs played football at Alabama before joining the NFL. He was the number 12 draft pick in 2020 and went to the Las Vegas Raiders.
In Nevada, Driving Under the Influence - Substantial Bodily Harm or Death is a serious felony, and even a person with no criminal history can face this charge. According to the law firm of Holland & Tomsheck, "The charge for DUI causing substantial bodily harm or death is a category “B” Felony, which is the second most severe level of Felony in Nevada law. In this instance, such a crime is punishable by imprisonment in Nevada State Prison system for a minimum term of 2 years and a maximum term 20 years. It also carries a fine of between $2,000.00 to $5,000.00. More importantly, DUI causing substantial bodily harm or death is a non-probationable offense, meaning if you are convicted, you must go to prison."