Ex-Raiders actor Henry Ruggs III fails to have blood alcohol tests rejected as evidence as he first appears in court after killing woman and her dog in a high-speed crash
Ex-Raiders recipient Henry Ruggs III was back in a Nevada courtroom on Tuesday for the first time since he was charged with drink-driving in a fatal car accident
23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog were killed in the November 2 collision
Ruggs’ defense team had hoped to convince a Nevada judge to dismiss the blood alcohol tests as evidence, claiming the police likely had no reason to do so.
The judge rejected that argument on Tuesday and dismissed the defense motion
Ruggs faces 50 years in prison if convicted. His next hearing is in September
<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Former Las Vegas Raiders recipient Henry Ruggs III was back in a Nevada courtroom on Tuesday for the first time since he was charged with drink-driving in the crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog last November.
Ruggs’ defense team had hoped to convince Judge Ann Zimmerman to dismiss the former NFL star’s blood alcohol tests as evidence, but was officially dismissed at Tuesday’s hearing. His attorney, David Chesnoff, had argued that the police had no likely reason to conduct tests.
The one-time University of Alabama star, charged with drink-driving and reckless driving, refused to take a field sobriety test at the scene of the Nov. 2 accident, according to police. Tests conducted at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada two hours after the crash revealed Ruggs’ blood alcohol content was 0.161 percent — about twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (left) appeared in court for the first time since November on Tuesday, as seen in this shot from Las Vegas NBC Affiliate
Ruggs’ defense had hoped to convince Judge Ann Zimmerman (right) to dismiss the ex-NFL star’s blood alcohol tests as evidence, but was officially dismissed at Tuesday’s hearing. His attorney, David Chesnoff, had argued that police had no likely reason to conduct tests
The ex-NFL star’s defense said officers didn’t have enough evidence to warrant a field sobriety test after Ruggs crashed into Tintor’s Toyota Ran 4, burning her and her dog to death
Zimmerman ruled Tuesday that the police had a likely reason to take the blood test.
“There is clear time constraints in applying for a search warrant for a blood draw,” Zimmerman said, as quoted by ESPN. “Considering the circumstances as a whole, there is more than sufficient evidence to establish a probable cause for the issuance of the search warrant in this case.
“Nobody has yet mentioned that Mr Ruggs was seriously injured in this accident and taken to hospital, so he would not have been able to submit to sobriety tests in the field. Coupled with his refusal to answer questions, this doesn’t yield a reward.
“Motion to suppress is denied.”
IMAGE: 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog, who both died in the crash
A photo of Tina Tintor and her dog is shown among items left at a roadside memorial near where they died in a car accident involving former Las Vegas Raiders player Henry Ruggs III on 4 November 2021 around 3:40 am in Las Vegas, Nevada
Chesnoff claims officers didn’t have enough evidence to warrant a sobriety test in the field after Ruggs crashed into Tintor’s Toyota Ran 4, burning her and her dog to death.
“And that’s what’s wrong,” Chesnoff said. “It matters, and it should matter, because if it doesn’t matter, we’re in a lawless society.”
Ruggs was hospitalized briefly in the crash and his girlfriend was reportedly seriously injured. The first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft was released from police custody on a $150,000 bond and has remained on electronic GPS and alcohol monitors ever since.
He faces anywhere from two to fifty years in prison.
His next hearing is scheduled for September 7 to determine whether his trial will take place in state court.
The Raiders released Ruggs hours after the crash. According to Spotrac.com, he had made more than $11 million in two NFL seasons. As a rookie, he signed a four-year, fully guaranteed, $16 million deal.