Former Alabama Crimson Tide and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was sentenced on Wednesday to three to 10 years in prison for a November 2021 drunken driving crash that killed a woman and her dog.
Ruggs reportedly drove 156 mph with a blood alcohol limit twice the legal limit when he crashed into another car, killing 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog in November 2021.
The 24-year-old Montgomery native will be eligible for parole after three years.
Ruggs was initially charged with DUI resulting in death, DUI resulting in bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, and possession of a firearm while under the influence. He faced 50 years in prison but took a plea deal, which reduced the charges to DUI, resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
Ruggs issued a statement ahead of his sentencing.
"To the family and parents of Miss Tintor, I sincerely apologize for the pain and suffering my actions the morning of November 2, 2021, have caused you, your family and everyone who knew and loved Miss Tina and Max," Ruggs said.
"I also let my family, teammates and those who believed in me down with my actions," he continued. "It hurt so many. Over the past 21 months, I've searched for a way to find the answers for my selfish behavior on that day. I have no excuse and pray that accepting responsibility with my guilty plea can allow me to begin the healing process and allow everyone involved to heal also. My actions were not a true reflection of me. I am committed to creating a greater awareness in educating others about the dangers that driving at an excessive speed and driving impaired can cause. With the support of my family, (attorneys) David (Chesnoff), Richard (Schonfeld) and friends, I pledge to be the father and man God created me to be."
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