(LAS VEGAS) — Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has been charged with DUI resulting in death connected to a car crash early Tuesday morning, according to police. Ruggs was released by the team less than 24 hours later.
Ruggs, the team’s leading receiver, was driving a Chevrolet Corvette at about 3:30 a.m. on Rainbow Boulevard “at a high rate of speed” when his car hit the rear end of a Toyota Rav4, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said.
The Toyota burst into flames, and police said they recovered a dead body inside the SUV. The victim was identified as a 23-year-old woman.
Police said Ruggs, 22, stayed on the scene, but “showed signs of impairment.” In addition to the DUI resulting in serious bodily harm, he was charged with reckless driving, both felonies.
The wide receiver was taken to University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. A 22-year-old female passenger in Ruggs’ car, Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, was also injured in the crash.
Late Tuesday, the team announced in a simple tweet it had released Ruggs. He was on a four-year, $16.67 million rookie contract, all of which is guaranteed.
The Raiders were on their bye this week, so they did not play on Sunday.
In a statement prior to his release, the team said, “We are aware of an accident involving Henry Ruggs III that occurred this morning in Las Vegas. 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 was a first-round pick of the Raiders in 2020, taken No. 12 overall. He was a star at Alabama, crossing 700 yards in his sophomore and junior seasons before entering the draft.
He has 24 catches for 469 yards in 2021. He also has two receiving touchdowns, which is tied for the team lead.
The speedy receiver had 452 receiving yards in his rookie season, with two touchdowns, but appeared to be breaking out in 2021 as the team’s top threat.
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