Where Is Henry Ruggs Now? Inside the Ex-NFL Player’s Life Over 4 Years After His Fatal DUI Accident

Henry Ruggs III was a 22-year-old rising star in the NFL, a new father and in his second season with the Las Vegas Raiders when he crashed his car, killing a 23-year-old woman and her dog.

Ruggs was driving under the influence and speeding when he rear-ended Tina Tintor in the early hours of Nov. 2, 2021. Tintor's 2013 Toyota RAV4 burst into flames, and she and her golden retriever, Max, died at the scene.

The Las Vegas Raiders player and his girlfriend were hospitalized, after which Ruggs was criminally charged for the collision and released from the NFL team.

Now, Ruggs is currently serving out a prison sentence in Nevada. Here's everything to know about the fatal crash Ruggs was involved in and where he is now, more than four years later.

Who is Henry Ruggs?

Ruggs was born Henry James Ruggs III in Montgomery, Ala. In high school, Ruggs played football and basketball and ran track, setting a state-wide record for the high school 100-meter dash, according to the Montgomery Adviser.

Ruggs had 30 Division I football offers from colleges and was initially committed to Florida State University. It was the words of his close friend and lifelong University of Alabama fan, Roderic Scott, that actually changed his decision. Ruggs was originally supposed to ride with Scott and two others to Birmingham, Ala., for a playoff basketball game, but Ruggs got the flu and stayed home. Scott and the two other passengers were injured in a rollover crash after the driver lost control of the vehicle.

As soon as Ruggs found out Scott was hospitalized, he raced over to Baptist Medical Center South on foot to be with his friend and console loved ones. Scott didn't survive and died at age 17. Ruggs became determined to honor his late friend and teammate through his own work on the court and on the field, even down to his choice in colleges.

"It came down to the wire," Ruggs told the Adviser. "The decision was actually made on the way to the ceremony, on Signing Day morning. I mean, he always told me [I'd go to University of Alabama], so that was kind of in the back of my head."

Ruggs began playing for University of Alabama in 2017, and by 2020, decided to forgo his senior year when he was drafted to the NFL, the Tuscaloosa News reported. He was the Las Vegas Raiders' first draft pick and the first wide receiver to be drafted for the 2020-2021 season.

In May 2020, ahead of his first season with the Raiders, Ruggs and his longtime girlfriend Je'nai Kilgo-Washington welcomed a daughter, Kenzli Re'Nai Ruggs, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Ruggs went on to play one-and-a-half seasons with the Raiders until his accident.

What did Henry Ruggs do?

At about 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2021, Ruggs rear-ended a 2013 Toyota RAV-4 near Spring Valley Parkway in Las Vegas. The driver of the Toyota, 23-year-old Tina Tintor, and her dog, Max, died at the scene.

Ruggs was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at the time of the crash, ESPN reported. A prosecutor said that Ruggs had a blood alcohol content of .161, more than twice the legal limit, two hours after the crash. Ruggs was allegedly driving 156 miles per hour before he rear-ended Tintor's Toyota. Authorities also alleged that Ruggs had a loaded firearm in the car.

Ruggs' girlfriend, Kilgo-Washington, was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash, but did not cooperate as a victim, per the Associated Press. She was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

Ruggs' bail was set at $150,000 with electronic monitoring. He also had to surrender his passport and wear an alcohol and substance-monitoring device until his trial.

What did Henry Ruggs get charged with?

Ruggs was charged with DUI causing death after the crash. He was also charged with felony reckless driving and DUI causing substantial injury to Kilgo-Washington, plus a misdemeanor gun charge for possessing a loaded handgun in the vehicle.

On May 10, 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to one count of DUI resulting in death and one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, leading to his other charges being dropped.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement that the plea bargain "accomplished [their] three most important goals," adding, "When someone dies as the result of a drunk driver's actions, this is the most serious charge the law allows."

What was Henry Ruggs' sentence?

On Aug. 9, 2023, Ruggs was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison.

At his sentencing, Ruggs apologized to Tintor's family, adding that he'd spent the past 21 months between the crash and his sentencing trying to explain his "selfish behavior" but that there was "no excuse." Ruggs said he was sorry for all the "pain and suffering" he caused, noting, "I also let my family, teammates, and those who believed in me down by my actions. It hurt so many."

Ruggs' attorneys said in a statement, "Mr. Ruggs has accepted responsibility for his actions, entered a guilty plea, and now been sentenced by the court. In court today Mr. Ruggs expressed his sincere sadness for the loss of Ms. Tintor and the impact that it has had on her loved ones."

Tintor's cousin, Daniel Strbac, spoke in court about her and the impact her untimely death had on her family.

"We pray that this terrible accident inspires positive change in the world," Strbac read in a statement. "From the bottom of hearts, we absolutely love and appreciate all members of our church, Raider Nation, the city of Las Vegas community and every individual who has shown up to remind us that we are not alone, and that Tina and Max are not alone."

Will Henry Ruggs ever play in the NFL again?

While Ruggs was released from the Raiders following the deadly accident, it's not out of the question that he may hit the gridiron again upon his release from prison: As the Las Vegas Review-Journal points out, plenty of other NFL stars, including Michael Vick, who served 18 months for operating a dogfighting ring, as well as Josh Brent, Leonard Little and Donte Stallworth, all of whom were found legally responsible for the death of others, all had successful returns to the NFL.

Ruggs' close friend and former Raiders teammate, Josh Jacobs, told The Pivot Podcast in April 2025 that he has been "talking to some people" on Ruggs' behalf.

"They've been saying a couple of teams are willing to give him a chance," Jacobs said. "I'm like, 'When you get that chance, man, you better not ever — don't look back. Prove to yourself and prove to everybody that one decision don't define you and who you are as a man.' "

Where is Henry Ruggs now?

Ruggs is currently serving his prison sentence at the Stewart Conservation Camp in northern Nevada, according to CBS 8 NewsNow. In June 2024, the outlet reported that he was working as a community trusty in the Nevada Governor's Mansion, where he reportedly earns $2.50 per hour for tasks including groundskeeping, cleaning and event setup. Ruggs will be eligible for parole on Aug. 5, 2026, and he may be eligible for time served in his work program.

Jacobs revealed on The Pivot Podcast that Ruggs is training while in prison, with the goal of potentially returning to football after his sentence concludes. Jacobs added, "Keeping up with him and hearing him talk, it brings me spirits, because he's always positive. He's positive about everything."