Las Vegas police: Henry Ruggs to be charged in fatal car crash

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III will be charged with DUI resulting in death following a car accident that occurred early Tuesday morning in the Las Vegas area, per Mick Akers.

Akers, a reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, provided additional information about the crash on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

According to law enforcement, the two-car accident happened around 3:39 a.m. PT. The initial investigation shows Ruggs was driving a Chevrolet Corvette and hit the back of a Toyota Rav4. Officers found the Toyota on fire with a deceased victim inside. 

“The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 22-year-old Henry Ruggs III, remained on scene and showed signs of impairment,” Akers added. “He was transported to UMC hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.”

The investigation is ongoing, and Ruggs’ attorney issued a statement regarding his client.

“On behalf of our client Henry Ruggs III we are conducting our own investigation as of this writing and ask everyone to reserve judgment until all the facts are gathered,” said Ruggs’ attorney, David Chesnoff.

The Raiders released a statement Tuesday afternoon, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“The Raiders are aware of an accident involving Henry Ruggs III that occurred this morning in Las Vegas,” the statement reads. “We are devastated by the loss of life and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family. We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”

Ruggs, 22, has previously discussed how his high school best friend Roderic Scott inspired him to play high school football. Scott died in a car accident when he was 17. To this day, Ruggs honors his friend with a three-finger salute every time he scores a touchdown because his basketball number was 3.

He has 24 receptions, 469 yards and two touchdowns this season for Las Vegas. He has started all seven games the Raiders have played this year and leads the team in receiving yards.

The Alabama native was a first-round pick out of Alabama in the 2020 NFL Draft. In three years in Tuscaloosa, he posted 98 receptions for 1,716 yards and 25 total touchdowns. As a senior, he averaged nearly 19 yards per reception.

Alabama won the national championship in 2017, Ruggs’ freshman year.