Football star in court
Seconds before the death crash: NFL professional Henry Ruggs raced through Las Vegas at 250 km / h
Ruff and cut on the nose: professional football player Henry Ruggs III. in court in Las Vegas
© Steve Marcus / “Las Vegas Sun”
He was considered the rising star of the NFL, but on Tuesday morning Henry Ruggs was involved in a traffic accident in which a woman died. Now the footballer appeared in court for the first time.
After the serious traffic accident of professional football player Henry Ruggs III. Further details have come to light: As the police announced, Ruggs had sped through Las Vegas at 250 km / h, seconds before he crashed into a Toyota Rav4 in his Chevrolet Corvette at around 3:40 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The SUV went up in flames after the impact, the 23-year-old driver and a dog, which was also in the car, died.
According to the police report, several eyewitnesses to the accident tried to pull the woman out of the burning vehicle. However, the 23-year-old was trapped and the helpers could not save her because of the smoke and the flames.
Henry Ruggs faces a long prison term
Ruggs, who had been sacked by his club, the Las Vegas Raiders, on the day of the accident, appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday (local time). The 22-year-old had visible cuts on the bridge of his nose and was wearing a ruff. According to police, he had shown “signs of impairment” at the scene of the accident and was charged with fatal drinking and reckless driving.
The burned-out Toyota RAV4 (left) of the death victim and the completely demolished Chevrolet Corvette owned by Henry Ruggs
© Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Ruggs had refused to take an alcohol test at the scene of the accident, but the prosecutor said at the court hearing on Wednesday that the accused had a blood alcohol level of 0.16 per mille – more than double the legal limit in Nevada, as reported by the US broadcaster ABC. In addition, a loaded handgun was found on the floor of Ruggs’ Corvette.
His 22-year-old passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the accident.
“It’s about decisions, and if someone decides to drive under the influence of alcohol and drive 250 km / h, we will demand justice,” ABC District Attorney Steve Wolfson quoted after Ruggs’ hearing. “This is a tragic and sad day. It is a tragedy because a woman has lost her life and a lot of other people are suffering. It is also sad and tragic that Mr. Ruggs may lose his entire career and face a harsh prison sentence got to.”
Henry Ruggs’ completely destroyed Chevrolet Corvette is removed in a tow truck
© Steve Marcus / Las Vegas Sun / DPA
According to Wolfson, the athlete faces a prison sentence of between two and 46 years, but this could increase if charges are brought against the weapon in the vehicle.
Ruggs was considered a rising star in the National Football League. The wide receiver has caught 24 passes for the Raiders this season, including two touchdowns. The club ranks first in the NFL’s American Football Conference West with five wins and two losses.
Ruggs was released on bail of $ 150,000. His next court date is November 10th.
Source: ABC, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department