The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners has denied the parole request of Henry Ruggs III, a former Las Vegas Raiders player involved in a 2021 car crash that resulted in the death of a woman. Despite claims from supporters that Ruggs had shown personal improvement and remorse, the board decided against his release. Ruggs will remain in prison, with a mandatory parole release date set for 2027.
Ruggs, who was a 2020 first-round draft pick, crashed his sports car at a speed of up to 156 mph into a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Tina Tintor. The collision caused Tintor’s car to burst into flames, killing her and her dog. At the time of the crash, Ruggs’ blood alcohol level was 0.16, twice the legal limit.
The incident occurred after Ruggs spent an evening at Topgolf, a sports entertainment venue in Las Vegas. In May 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. In August 2023, he was sentenced to a prison term of three to ten years, which ended his NFL career.
Since his incarceration, Ruggs has completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama and participated in various prison work programs, including working at the Nevada governor’s mansion. He has also expressed remorse for his actions. Despite these efforts, the parole board did not find them sufficient to grant early release.
According to Kathi Baker, the executive director of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners, Ruggs will have another opportunity to go before the parole board three months before his mandatory release date in August 2027.