Shock moment Henry Ruggs III’s victim’s car erupts into deadly inferno as Las Vegas Raiders star ‘drove while impaired’
SHOCKING footage shows the damage after Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III drove into another car while allegedly impaired, causing it to burst into deadly flames and killing one person.
The video shows one car engulfed in a fireball while another beside it appears severely damaged.
Two figures can be seen standing next to the totaled vehicle, with one sitting on the curb and the other pacing on the street.
Ruggs is set to be charged with a DUI following the fatal crash in Las Vegas at around 3.39am on Tuesday.
The NFL star was transported to University Medical Center in Las Vegas to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Per police, preliminary investigation indicates the front of the Chevrolet collided with the rear of a Toyota Rav4.
Responding officers located the Toyota on fire and the driver deceased.
Shocking photos showed the victim’s Toyota engulfed in flames.
Las Vegas attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld released a statement regarding the incident involving their client: “On behalf of our client Henry Ruggs III we are conducting our own investigation as of this writing and ask everyone to reserve judgment until all the facts are gathered.”
The wreckage caused a complete closure of Rainbow between Tropicana Avenue and Flamingo Road for several hours as police investigated.
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Ruggs, who played college ball at the University of Alabama, was drafted in the first round by the Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 22-year-old Alabama native was the fastest player at the 2020 NFL combine, running a 40-yard dash in 4.27-second.
Read our Henry Ruggs live blog for the very latest news and updates…
In a statement regarding their star player’s deadly crash, the Raiders said: “The Raiders 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.”
The crash happened as:
- Ruggs has been blasted by fans who say his career is “over”
- The star’s BFF died in a wreck five years ago
- The athlete was allegedly impaired when the crash took place
Following the tragic news, fans slammed Ruggs saying that his career is over after he was involved in a reportedly fatal crash, as the athlete may face 20 years behind bars.
“But uh yeah, Henry Ruggs career is over,” one user wrote on Twitter following the horrific news.
Another said, “Henry Ruggs is an idiot,” while others claimed his “career is clipped wow.”
The NFL released a statement on the Ruggs incident, saying: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim of this horrific tragedy.”
“We will continue to gather facts and monitor the matter under our policies, but our thoughts at this time are with those impacted by this devastating incident.”
Law in Nevada claims that “if a person is convicted of a DUI which causes substantial bodily harm, or death, in another person, it is a FELONY offense.”
It would be classed as a category B Felony, which “is the second most severe level of Felony in Nevada law.”
This could be punishable by a minimum of two years in prison but a maximum term of 20.
Five years earlier, in March 2016, Rugg’s lost his childhood best friend, Rod Scott, in a car accident while en route to attend a state playoff basketball game in Birmingham, Alabama.
The pair had been due to travel to the game together, but Ruggs had fallen ill with the flu and decided not to attend.
Scott, 17, was one of three unrestrained passengers ejected from a car that had rolled over along a rain-covered Interstate 65.
The teen was airlifted to an area hospital with serious internal injuries, including a swollen brain and two collapsed lungs.
Despite multiple surgeries to save his life, Scott was pronounced dead the next day.
In tribute to his best friend, whom he first met in elementary school, Ruggs raises a three-finger salute to Scott every time he scores a touchdown.
Ruggs explained to the Advertiser that the gesture is his way of acknowledging everything Scott meant to him and how even after his death, he continues to inspire him to do greater things.
Before his arrival to the league, Ruggs was a superstar for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning a national championship in 2017.
Ruggs is having a breakout year for the Raiders in his second season, recording 24 receptions, 469 yards, and two touchdowns this season.
The Raiders last played on October 24, a 33-22 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.
Their next game is scheduled for Sunday, November 7, when they visit the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.