The Tragic Downfall Of Henry Ruggs III: Inside His 3-to-10 Year Nevada Prison Sentence And Current Status

The story of Henry Ruggs III is one of immense talent tragically cut short, serving as a stark, modern cautionary tale against the dangers of impaired driving. As of late 2024, the former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver is serving a three-to-ten-year sentence in a Nevada state prison, a direct consequence of the 2021 high-speed, fatal DUI collision that claimed the life of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog. The legal proceedings concluded in 2023, closing a devastating chapter for the families involved and sending a chilling message about accountability, regardless of fame or fortune. The fallout from the November 2021 crash was immediate and career-ending, transforming one of the NFL’s fastest rising stars into an inmate overnight. This article provides a comprehensive, updated look into Henry Ruggs III’s biography, the details of the catastrophic incident, the legal and financial repercussions, and his current status within the Nevada Department of Corrections.

Henry Ruggs III: A Full Biography and Career Profile

Henry James Ruggs III was born on January 24, 1999, in Montgomery, Alabama. His early life was defined by exceptional athletic speed and talent.

• Full Name: Henry James Ruggs III
• Date of Birth: January 24, 1999
• Place of Birth: Montgomery, Alabama
• High School: Robert E. Lee High School (Montgomery, AL)
• College: University of Alabama
• College Football Career: Played for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2017 to 2019, winning the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. He was known for his elite speed, clocking a 4.27-second 40-yard dash.
• NFL Draft: Selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
• NFL Career: Played for the Las Vegas Raiders from 2020 until his release on November 2, 2021. In his career, he recorded 50 receptions for 921 yards and 4 touchdowns.
• The Incident: Fatal DUI crash on November 2, 2021.
• Legal Status: Pled guilty to felony DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
• Sentence: 3 to 10 years in Nevada state prison (Sentenced August 9, 2023).

Ruggs’s professional football career was a brief, high-potential flash. As the first wide receiver taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, he was expected to be a cornerstone of the Raiders’ offense for years to come. That promising trajectory ended abruptly, a painful reminder of the fragility of life and consequence of poor choices.

The Catastrophic Night: Details of the Fatal DUI Crash

The incident that permanently altered Henry Ruggs III’s life and tragically ended another occurred in the early morning hours of November 2, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The details revealed during the investigation painted a harrowing picture of extreme speed and intoxication. The former Raiders star was driving his Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with his girlfriend, Kiara Kilgo-Washington, in the passenger seat. Investigators determined that Ruggs was driving at an astonishing speed of up to 156 miles per hour just seconds before the collision. At the moment of impact with the victim’s vehicle, his speed was estimated to be 127 mph. The victim, 23-year-old Tina Tintor, was driving a Toyota RAV4. Ruggs’s Corvette slammed into the back of her SUV, causing a fiery crash. Tintor and her pet dog, Max, were trapped inside the vehicle and died from thermal injuries due to the fire. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) investigation found that Ruggs's blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.16 percent, which is twice the legal limit in Nevada. Furthermore, a loaded firearm was found inside his car at the scene, adding an additional, though ultimately dropped, felony charge of possession of a firearm while under the influence. The sheer speed and the level of intoxication were key factors that led prosecutors to initially pursue multiple felony charges, including DUI resulting in death and reckless driving. The severity of the crash, which included a witness attempting to rescue Tintor from the burning wreckage, shocked the Las Vegas community and the entire NFL.

The Legal Fallout and the 3-to-10 Year Prison Sentence

The legal process for Henry Ruggs III was lengthy, highly publicized, and culminated in a plea agreement that sent him to state prison.

The Plea Deal and Sentencing

Facing years of litigation and the potential for a much longer sentence (up to 20 years) if convicted at trial, Ruggs and his defense team negotiated a plea deal with Clark County prosecutors. In May 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to one count of felony DUI resulting in death and one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. This plea deal was a critical turning point. It allowed Ruggs to avoid the most severe penalties but ensured he would serve a significant amount of time in prison. The official sentencing occurred on August 9, 2023. A judge sentenced Ruggs to a minimum of three years and a maximum of ten years in a Nevada state prison. The terms of the plea deal stipulated that the minimum three-year sentence could not be reduced by converting it to probation, ensuring actual time served. During the sentencing hearing, Ruggs offered an apology to the family of Tina Tintor, expressing his deep sadness for the loss he caused. The court also heard a powerful victim impact statement read on behalf of Tina Tintor’s mother, Mirjana Komazec, who shared the grief and grace of her family, recounting memories of her daughter.

The Victim's Voice: Tina Tintor

It is crucial to remember the victim at the center of this tragedy. Tina O. Tintor was a 23-year-old woman from Las Vegas who was heading home with her dog when the crash occurred. While not much is publicly known about her personal life, the impact statements from her family painted a picture of a loving daughter whose life was prematurely and violently taken. The family’s statement in court highlighted the devastating, permanent void her death left in their lives, providing a necessary human counterpoint to the celebrity and legal drama surrounding Ruggs.

Current Status: Where is Henry Ruggs Now?

As of late 2024, Henry Ruggs III is an inmate under the custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections. He was initially transferred to a minimum-security transitional housing facility but has since been relocated to a medium-security facility within the Nevada state prison system. This relocation is a standard part of the classification process for inmates serving sentences of this nature. His sentence is structured as an indeterminate term of 3 to 10 years. This means:

• Minimum Sentence: 3 years. This is the earliest date he will be eligible for parole.
• Maximum Sentence: 10 years. This is the longest time he can be held in prison.

Given the sentencing date of August 2023, Henry Ruggs III would not be eligible for parole until at least August 2026. However, parole eligibility does not guarantee release, and the Nevada Parole Board will consider the severity of his crime, his conduct while incarcerated, and the victim's impact before making any decision. The story of Henry Ruggs III remains a profound lesson on the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. His fall from the pinnacle of professional sports to a prison cell is a permanent reminder that no amount of talent or fame can shield an individual from the legal and moral repercussions of their actions. The memory of Tina Tintor and the pain of her family are the true, lasting legacies of that tragic night.