Ex-Raider Henry Ruggs III Allegedly Drove 156 MPH, Twice Legal Limit of BAC Before Fatal Crash
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III allegedly drove at 156 miles per hour and had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit before being involved in a crash that killed a person, authorities said Wednesday.
While speaking to reporters, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said that Ruggs had a blood-alcohol level of .16.
KLAS-TV reported that Ruggs made his first appearance Wednesday morning before a Las Vegas Justice Court judge, who set the ex-Raiders player's bail at $150,000. Ruggs was also ordered to refrain from consuming alcohol.
Wolfson also told reporters that police found a gun on the floorboard of Ruggs' vehicle after the crash.
"Whether you're an athlete, whether you're a police officer visiting from out of state," Wolfson said. "I don't care. Like I said before, it's about choices and if somebody chooses to drive while under the influence and drive an excess of 150 miles per hour we're going to seek justice."
The crash occurred approximately 3:39 a.m. local time Tuesday near the intersection of South Rainbow Boulevard and South Spring Valley Parkway. According to police, Ruggs was driving a Chevrolet Corvette that crashed into the rear end of a Toyota Rav 4. They said that the person in the Toyota died and Ruggs was charged with driving under the influence "resulting in death."
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department initially said that Ruggs showed "signs of impairment" while at the scene.
The person in the Toyota Rav 4 who died in the crash has yet to be publicly identified by authorities.
Shortly afterward, the Raiders issued a statement saying that they were aware of the incident. "We are devastated by the loss of life and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim's family," the team said.
A few hours later, the Raiders announced on Twitter that they released Ruggs.
The Las Vegas Raiders have released WR Henry Ruggs III.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 3, 2021
As reported by ESPN, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement that "our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim of this horrific tragedy."
"We will continue to gather facts and monitor the matter under our policies, but our thoughts at this time are with those impacted by this devastating incident," the statement read.
Updated 1:38 PM ET, with additional information.
