Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III
was speeding at 156 mph with twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system before he slammed into another car, killing that driver, officials said Wednesday.
Ruggs was in a wheelchair and wearing a neck brace during his first appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court, where a judge set the player's bail at $150,000.
Wide receiver Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 13, 2020 in Las Vegas.Chris Unger / Getty Images file
Clark County prosecutors had asked for $1 million bail for Ruggs, who was booked into custody Tuesday night on suspicion of DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm or death and reckless driving, officials said.
He could still face other, more serious charges stemming from Tuesday's fatal crash when Ruggs
was behind the wheel of a Corvette that slammed into the back of a Toyota Rav4 at 3:39 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, police said.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Eric Bauman said he was particularly troubled by the crash because pro football players
can get free rides home through their union in a program aimed at curtailing impaired driving.
"Based on defendant's reckless, wild and out-of-control course of conduct ... the defendant has established that he's danger to our community," Bauman told the judge.
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Due to the high-speed impact to the Toyota's fuel tank, the car caught fire and 23-year-old Las Vegas resident Tina Tintor and her dog were killed, near South Rainbow Boulevard and South Spring Valley Parkway, officials said.
Ruggs was clocked 156 mph 2.5 seconds before impact and was traveling at 127 mph at impact, according to prosecutors, citing data from the Corvette's air bags.
Ruggs also had a firearm in the car, and Bauman said possession of a weapon while intoxicated could lead to another serious charge.
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