Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was involved in a two-vehicle accident early morning on November 2, 2021. Seconds before the crash, at 3:40 a.m., Ruggs was driving 156 mph and had a blood alcohol level of .161 – twice the legal limit in Nevada. Ruggs and his girlfriend escaped the crash with injuries. Tina Tintor, the victim of Ruggs’ negligence, was killed in the early morning crash. Ruggs has since been charged with a DUI resulting in death, which is a Class B felony under Nevada law. A conviction for that charge carries a sentence of two to 20 years. Ruggs was also charged with reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, a charge carrying a sentence of one to six years. There was also a loaded gun found in Ruggs’ car. Ruggs’ bail was set at $150,000.
The issue is whether Tina Tintor’s family can bring a civil suit against Ruggs for negligence. To make a claim for negligence, there must be a breach of the defendant’s duty, causing injury to the plaintiff and resulting in damages. Under these facts, it is clear Ruggs was grossly negligent in his drunkenness and disregard for human life. This unambiguously reckless act led to the loss of life of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog. The brutal impact caused Tina’s car to burst into flames. Between the legal fees for the pending criminal charges and the looming civil lawsuit to be launched by the victim’s family, the future is bleak for Ruggs.