Henry Ruggs III update: Ex-Raiders WR still behind bars after parole denial in fatal DUI crash case
Henry Ruggs III’s Parole Denied: Raiders’ WR Remains in Custody After Fatal DUI Crash
Henry Ruggs III update – Henry Ruggs III, a former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver, has been denied parole by the Nevada Board of Parole, as confirmed by a spokesperson to The Athletic. This decision came nearly three years into his incarceration for a 2021 drunk driving incident that led to the deaths of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her canine companion.
Ruggs, 27, had sought release on his earliest eligibility date of August 5, 2023. He retains the right to challenge the ruling. If no appeal is filed or parole is granted, he will be eligible for release again within approximately one year.
The Incident
In November 2021, Ruggs was operating his Chevrolet Corvette at speeds surpassing 156 mph with a blood alcohol level of 0.161%, more than twice Nevada’s legal threshold. His car struck the rear of an SUV carrying Tintor and her dog, resulting in their deaths from thermal injuries, as reported by the Clark County Coroner’s Office via USA Today.
Ruggs’ Legal Proceedings
In May 2023, Ruggs entered a guilty plea to one felony DUI causing death and one misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge. He received a three-to-10-year prison sentence under a negotiated agreement with the Clark County District Attorney’s office. Following his transfer from a lower-security transitional facility in October 2025, he is currently detained at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City, a medium-security institution.
“I reflect on Tina’s passing every day,” Ruggs told the parole board during his recent hearing, per The Athletic. “I’m a religious individual and pray for her family daily. I’m requesting the chance to prove myself to all.”
“Not a single moment passes without me considering the anguish I inflicted on her loved ones and the Las Vegas community,” he added, as noted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Nevada Board of Parole commissioner Sandy Schmitt had previously stated that Ruggs is deemed a low-risk offender and that guidelines suggest release after his first or second hearing. Despite this assessment, the board rejected his parole application.
Tintor’s family did not issue public comments during or after the hearing but had the opportunity to speak privately with the board, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Their most recent public statement occurred at Ruggs’ sentencing, where Tintor’s cousin Daniel Strbac read her mother Mirjana Komazec’s words aloud: “Every parent’s deepest fear is to nurture a cherished child only to lose them through someone else’s carelessness. The sorrow of losing a child is a pain we endure every day.”
Ruggs was selected by the Raiders with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after excelling at Alabama and contributing to the Crimson Tide’s 2018 national championship. As the first wide receiver chosen in that draft, he was ahead of CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, and Justin Jefferson. His rookie season saw 26 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns, and he maintained that performance level through seven games in 2021 before the Raiders released him shortly after his arrest.
Ruggs expressed aspirations to return to the NFL once freed. “I’m in a fresh spiritual phase and am certain of my capabilities,” he stated at a Hope for Prisoners event in Las Vegas, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “When the moment arrives, I’ll be prepared for another opportunity, ideally with the Raiders.”
Khushi Arora, a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, covers U.S. news for the US Desk. With a background in English Literature, she merges meticulous research with narrative storytelling to deliver insightful and credible reporting across various topics. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, she worked at Zee News for over a year, covering news, education, and lifestyle segments.
Outside of writing, Arora enjoys reading, watching films, and engaging in lengthy discussions about literature, cinema, and broader cultural themes.