[Edit -Released by Raiders] Henry Ruggs involved in a fatal car crash, "DUI resulting in death" charges expected

[Augie]

7 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

 

Doubt we'll get any more information than what has already been released.

 

The philosophical questions of just how bad this is will be argued between lawyers from now on. The rest of us will just have to wrestle with our own scale of criminality on this one.

 

Personally, I have no perspective since I've been lucky enough not to know anyone who has experienced either side of this tragedy, so my first reaction was football related...

 

 

 

 

 

I’m glad you seemed to get my point, because I struggled to express myself there. There are degrees of bad behavior, and there are degrees of bad outcomes. There is not necessarily a direct correlation between the two. I guess that is a more succinct way of putting it. 

 

Regardless, I try not to be too judgmental, especially when I know so little about a situation. 

[Mr. WEO]

37 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

realistically, if shooting in the dark completely… somewhat viable odds he gets 2 years- reduced with good behavior. Misses this year and next… and then maybe he comes back. For tryouts for the 2023 season. 
 

but it’s too early to say how likely it is. 

that sounds like a miraculous outcome for him.  I thought it was a 2 year minimum.  

[FireChans]

41 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

realistically, if shooting in the dark completely… somewhat viable odds he gets 2 years- reduced with good behavior. Misses this year and next… and then maybe he comes back. For tryouts for the 2023 season. 
 

but it’s too early to say how likely it is. 

Should I pick him up in my sleeper league????

[Augie]

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

that sounds like a miraculous outcome for him.  I thought it was a 2 year minimum.  

 

The person I know who went thru something similar did about 5 years, if I remember correctly.  Again, the circumstances may have been quite different and I’m sure that comes into play. This guy was hammered on St Patty’s Day on the wrong side of a divided highway in a different state. Let’s pray for the families and wait for details to come out. 

 

PSA EDIT: The cops said the only reason HE survived was because he was in a Volvo. They had seen it over and over with Volvos.

 

The other guy was legally drunk too, but him being on the right side of the road says a lot about who was MORE drunk. 

 

 

.

Edited November 3, 2021 by Augie

[LabattBlue]

27 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’m honestly asking, because I don’t know - was this some kind of (for lack of a better phrase) “ordinary accident”? Or was this a wild act of stupidity (beyond drinking and driving)? The hour alone tells you bad judgment was involved beyond just drinking and driving. 

 

I know someone who got plastered on St Patricks Day and drove the wrong way up a divided highway and killed a guy. Yep, REALLY bad.  Should that be viewed differently than a guy who blew a .082 and tried to get thru a yellow light hurting or killing someone? The act could be less egregious, with a more horrific outcome. There has to be some way to balance the act and the outcome, and I honestly don’t know how that should work. 

 

There are comments about viewing it differently because someone died. Drag racing could be inherently more dangerous than what was going on in this situation, but they just got luckier. I guess luck is a huge factor in our lives. The smarter you are, the luckier you tend to be. 

 

I know of two cases where pedestrians died and nobody was charged (no alcohol involved). 

 

There is always a rush to judgment when I think we should be looking for more information before having any firm opinion regarding events we know so little about. 

 

 

.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/buffalonews.com/sports/bills/dareus-drag-race-was-closing-in-on-intersection-prior-to-crash/article_d28c0ef5-7bb2-564b-ae10-865dfead4f6d.amp.html

[Behindenemylines]

10 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

 

Doubt we'll get any more information than what has already been released.

 

The philosophical questions of just how bad this is will be argued between lawyers from now on. The rest of us will just have to wrestle with our own scale of criminality on this one.

 

Personally, I have no perspective since I've been lucky enough not to know anyone who has experienced either side of this tragedy, so my first reaction was football related...

 

 

 

 

When I was younger I watched a car driving too fast cut in front of a semi and lose.  Was literally run over by the 18 wheeler, which jackknifed and missed running me over by a few feet-literally.  I ran to the car as I knew everyone in it personally.  By some miracle nobody died or for that matter had long lasting injuries-they say because they were so hammered or passed out.  
 

I had to spend the next three years as witness dealing on and off with lawyers and court BS due to the lawsuits.  
 

and to this day 30 years later I still have occasional nightmares about it.
 

 

[1ManRaid]

7 hours ago, Gugny said:

Ruggs' attorney, David Chesnoff, tells TMZ Sports, "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.

 

If that's not lawyer speak for "my client was responsible for it", I don't know what is.

[Bangarang]

58 minutes ago, Herc11 said:

In California, the police sometimes supply a kit that its drawn with that meets the specific requirements for chain of custody etc. Sometimes its pulled with that kit and passed on to the police, but often is run by the hospital lab to prevent it from hemolyzing before its able to get tested. If they wait to long and it does hemolyze then they'd have to draw again. Time is crucial since the body is actively metabolizing the alcohol.

At my agency in NY, I bring the blood kit to the hospital, get the sample from a nurse and secure it in a refrigerated locker at my department for the lab to analyze. 
 

Not all departments have the same procedures or resources though. I have no idea how they do things in that area of Nevada.

[hondo in seattle]

5 hours ago, Process said:

What % of people calling for a maximum sentence and for him to rot in prison do you think have driven when they shouldn't have at least once in their life? 90%+?

 

Yes he messed up. Yes he should be punished and spend time in jail. But he's 22yo. It's a sad situation all around.

 

When I was a teen, I was at my brother's house celebrating my nephew's birthday.  My brother's best friend was driving home from that party when he was t-boned by a drunk driver.  He was killed as were 3 of his 4 children.

 

Count me as part of your 10%.  I resolved that day that I would never drive impaired and I never have.  

 

I don't know Ruggs.  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he's a generally good kid.  But he killed someone through his negligence.  Mistakes - and this is a tragic one - have consequences.  

 

I agree with your close...  It's a sad situation all around.  

 

Edited November 3, 2021 by hondo in seattle

[starrymessenger]

Just all round awful.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 hours ago, BTB said:

I’m not defending Ruggs, but this thread is judge, jury and executioner all in one thread a 1/2 day after the accident. 
 

 

Funny, when one of our own was caught drag racing on Milestrip Rd(and luckily hit a tree instead of another car), there was a whole bunch of chalking it up to being a “troubled youth” who had to deal with much adversity growing up. 

 

I could be wrong, but I suspect that the same people are not arguing these disparate viewpoints.

 

There were plenty of people on here at the time who were harshly critical of Dareus and his actions, and especially that after-practice drag race.

[MJS]

59 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

When I was a teen, I was at my brother's house celebrating my nephew's birthday.  My brother's best friend was driving home from that party when he was t-boned by a drunk driver.  He was killed as were 3 of his 4 children.

 

Count me as part of your 10%.  I resolved that day that I would never drive impaired and I never have.  

 

I don't know Ruggs.  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he's a generally good kid.  But he killed someone through his negligence.  Mistakes - and this is a tragic one - have consequences.  

 

I agree with your close...  It's a sad situation all around.  

 

People who drive impaired deserve whatever consequences that come to them for their decisions.

 

And it's just not true that most people have done it. It's a justification that people say to make themselves feel better about their dumb actions. "Everybody else does it too, so it's ok. I'm not a bad person."

 

I've looked up the statistics in the past and that reasoning does not hold water. Most people do not, and have not, driven impaired. But the number that do is alarmingly high, especially since everyone knows it is idiotic and endangers themselves and others.

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, MJS said:

People who drive impaired deserve whatever consequences that come to them for their decisions.

 

And it's just not true that most people have done it. It's a justification that people say to make themselves feel better about their dumb actions. "Everybody else does it too, so it's ok. I'm not a bad person."

 

I've looked up the statistics in the past and that reasoning does not hold water. Most people do not, and have not, driven impaired. But the number that do is alarmingly high, especially since everyone knows it is idiotic and endangers themselves and others.

 

I’m not arguing anything, just pointing out how the viewpoint has changed over the decades. I remember as a kid seeing cops pull people over and follow someone home for the last couple blocks while they tried not to drive up onto the grass. My GF’s dad and his buddy picked us up from the movies with “roadies” and it was like we were in a luge bouncing off the snow banks on either side. 

 

The times are very different, and much safer. It’s come a LONG way! 

[OZBILLS]

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 minutes ago, OZBILLS said:

 

So much for waiting while all the facts come out. 

[Doc Brown]

3 hours ago, unbillievable said:

Will the Raiders release him or is he going to be in limbo like Deshaun Watson? His trial might not be until next year.

 

Realistically speaking, he'll be a Patriot, Chief, or Cowboy in 2024.

 

 

 

[OZBILLS]

Just now, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

So much for waiting while all the facts come out. 

 

Unless they know the facts...or have a fair idea.

 

I reckon they are just happy to release and get him out of these. Not sure what their responsibility is now though

[Warcodered]

2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

So much for waiting while all the facts come out. 

I mean if they've been in contact with Ruggs it may not be all that complicated he could be pretty obviously *****.

[OZBILLS]

2 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

I mean if they've been in contact with Ruggs it may not be all that complicated he could be pretty obviously *****.

 

He's probably still drunk tbh. I think they did the right thing.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

7 minutes ago, OZBILLS said:

Unless they know the facts...or have a fair idea.

I reckon they are just happy to release and get him out of these. Not sure what their responsibility is now though

 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/henry-ruggs-47606/

"Henry Ruggs signed a 4 year, $16,671,626 contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, including a $9,684,820 signing bonus, $16,671,626 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,167,907. In 2021, Ruggs will earn a base salary of $1,367,801, while carrying a cap hit of $3,789,006 and a dead cap value of $13,640,421."

 

Some good info here (subscription probably required, trial available)

https://theathletic.com/2930715/2021/11/02/whats-next-for-henry-ruggs-iii-and-the-raiders-after-wr-is-involved-in-fatal-car-accident/?source=spotrac&pc=spotrac40off2

 

Quote

Ruggs has hired attorney David Chesnoff, who earlier this year represented the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, and the running back was charged with “failure to exercise due care” after a one-car accident at 4:42 a.m. Jan. 4.

Quote

Per Nevada law, a DUI resulting in death is a non-probational Class B felony. If convicted, penalties include two to 20 years in prison, fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 and a three-year driver’s license suspension. The charge could be reduced to vehicular manslaughter if the prosecutor can’t prove Ruggs was DUI and that his impaired driving caused the victim’s death. That’s a misdemeanor in Nevada but could still draw the following penalties: up to six months in jail, fines of up to $1,000 and a one-year driver’s license suspension.

 

Ruggs chose to drink (assuming reports are correct) and chose to get in the car and probably drove pretty recklessly if he smashed into another car so hard it caught fire.  That's not "on" the Raiders.  But I hope they still stand by their guy enough to make sure he's got whatever psychological or emotional support and treatment he may need.

 

 

[Scott7975]

This is horrible.  I don't think two years is enough but I don't think he should spend the rest of his life in jail either.  He made a mistake.  Not just a mistake but a huge mistake.  People need to stop thinking "I can drive.  This won't happen to me"

 

I think he should give the family his entire wealth other than what he needs to survive a normal life.  Do about 10 years in jail and then spend the rest of his life giving some kind of drunk driving education to high schools around the country.

Edited November 3, 2021 by Scott7975

[Jauronimo]

14 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

 

His email history must be pretty racy.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Just now, Jauronimo said:

His email history driving style must be pretty racy.

 

FIFY

[Chicken Boo]

6 hours ago, Process said:

What % of people calling for a maximum sentence and for him to rot in prison do you think have driven when they shouldn't have at least once in their life? 90%+?

 

Yes he messed up. Yes he should be punished and spend time in jail. But he's 22yo. It's a sad situation all around.

 

I'm guilty of it during my younger, dumber years and consider myself EXTREMELY fortunate that I never injured anyone or myself.

 

1 mistake is all it takes and your life is altered forever.

[Rc2catch]

As someone who had his fair share of DWI’s in my younger years. 20+ years ago I got 3 of them. No tolerance for underage was something I clearly didn’t understand. That said I was punished what I consider severely for my stupidity. Sitting through impact panels and things like that I can’t imagine how bad the suffering is for families who lose someone to such dumb actions, and I couldn’t imagine trying to go on with my life after killing someone. I was extremely lucky I didn’t have one of these situations. The only positive I can take is I was able to get sober and decades later remain that way. What I seen and heard in those impact panels did actually stick with me. And yes there was much much more penalties I had besides just the impact panels. 

[John from Riverside]

I will admit it I wanted this player whenever he was drafted

[MAJBobby]

I will never understand this. Grab a ***** Uber 

[Augie]

6 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

As someone who had his fair share of DWI’s in my younger years. 20+ years ago I got 3 of them. No tolerance for underage was something I clearly didn’t understand. That said I was punished what I consider severely for my stupidity. Sitting through impact panels and things like that I can’t imagine how bad the suffering is for families who lose someone to such dumb actions, and I couldn’t imagine trying to go on with my life after killing someone. I was extremely lucky I didn’t have one of these situations. The only positive I can take is I was able to get sober and decades later remain that way. What I seen and heard in those impact panels did actually stick with me. And yes there was much much more penalties I had besides just the impact panels. 

 

I’ll forget Ruggs right now and just focus on this. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you lived, and learned, even if it was hard at times. Well done, and I wish you all the best! 

[John from Riverside]

I don’t drink I have absolutely no tolerance for DWI people grab a friend grab an Uber think about somebody beside yourself

[Rc2catch]

2 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’ll forget Ruggs right now and just focus on this. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you lived, and learned, even if it was hard at times. Well done, and I wish you all the best! 

Thank you, I appreciate it. It certainly wasn’t easy. Stories like these are tragic. Wasted lives and talent 

[Spiderweb]

6 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

Very sad. My heart breaks for everyone involved. Someone just driving and then bam, life over. Family loses a loved one in an instant

I can’t imagine what Ruggs must be feeling and everyone else involved. He has a young daughter, his career is likely over and he now has to live with the fact a person is dead because of his actions. It’s an awful awful situation

 

He deserves to be punished and harshly, but I do think of the human in him during this. He is just 22. It’s just awful

everything from every angle 

Truly is a human tragedy...

[NickelCity]

What a horrible situation. 

[SydneyBillsFan]

10 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

There are mistakes and mistakes.  If you make a decision to do something that is illegal and known to be dangerous, and it costs someone their life, do you think it should be treated in the same category as "a mistake" like shoplifting or breaking a store window or something?

 

 

The key legal threshold for a murder charge in many jurisdictions is premeditated intent.

 

In this instance, you could argue that there was an intention to "do something stupid and unlawful which had the potential to cause harm or death", but you could not argue deliberate and premeditated intent to take someone's life.

 

Regardless, it's a tragic set of circumstances for all involved. Prayers for everyone.

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, SydneyBillsFan said:

 

The key legal threshold for a murder charge in many jurisdictions is premeditated intent.

 

 

Correct. You need a mens rea and an actus rea. In the UK this would almost certainly be charged as manslaughter (though I believe in America that is often called 2nd degree murder) essentially it is unlawful killing without the intent. 

[davefan66]

3 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

I will never understand this. Grab a ***** Uber 

I’d be surprised if the teams don’t stress this, and/or offer car service.

 

No excuse at all, but when I was in my twenties and doing stupid things we didn’t have Uber.  Nowadays, you can be in an Uber within 5 minutes and on your way.  Vegas I’m sure has plenty of options.

[TBBills]

51 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

I’d be surprised if the teams don’t stress this, and/or offer car service.

 

No excuse at all, but when I was in my twenties and doing stupid things we didn’t have Uber.  Nowadays, you can be in an Uber within 5 minutes and on your way.  Vegas I’m sure has plenty of options.

All these piece of ***** people care about is looking good in a car they own. They don't give a ***** about someone's life as long as they can drive that hot ***** to the club.

 

Edited November 3, 2021 by TBBills

[Hapless Bills Fan]

58 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

I’d be surprised if the teams don’t stress this, and/or offer car service.

 

No excuse at all, but when I was in my twenties and doing stupid things we didn’t have Uber.  Nowadays, you can be in an Uber within 5 minutes and on your way.  Vegas I’m sure has plenty of options.

 

I believe teams do, but it's said the players don't want to use it.  They don't necessarily want the teams to know what they're up to.

 

At least as of a few years back, the NFLPA offered a car service that does not report who uses it to the teams.  You could both pre-plan rides and call in an emergency.

[CorkScrewHill]

19 minutes ago, TBBills said:

All these piece of ***** people care about is looking good in a car they own. They don't give a ***** about someone's life as long as they can drive that hot ***** to the club.

 

It is not necessarily that they don’t care .. when you are young you just feel invincible… “I got this” mentality.

 

This particular piece of ******* very well may be a great guy who made a collassal misjudgment that will impact the victims family and his forever. 
 

“In April 2020, Henry Ruggs partnered with Three Square, a southern Nevada food bank, to donate meals to those in need because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 7, 2020, Ruggs’ daughter was born.”

 

Tragic for all parties involved, except the lawyers of course.

 

[Rochesterfan]

7 hours ago, Bangarang said:

At my agency in NY, I bring the blood kit to the hospital, get the sample from a nurse and secure it in a refrigerated locker at my department for the lab to analyze. 
 

Not all departments have the same procedures or resources though. I have no idea how they do things in that area of Nevada.

 

This is how most if not all Police Agencies across the country work.  The hospital laboratories are not set up to run chain of custody testing for court cases and therefore the results are usually non admissible as anything other than support of the forensic findings.

 

The hospitals will draw drug and alcohol samples for treatment - those results can become part of the big picture, but they are usually not used for more than support of the final chain of custody results sent to a forensic lab.  The hospital results will be available on site usually with 15 - 30 minutes and the forensic samples can take a few weeks to months because you are screening and then confirming the results along with quantifying the levels.  
 

That data is then provided to usually a pathologist/medical director to review and sign off on and put together a legal packet showing everyone that touched the sample from collection, storage of the sample, and all of the testing performed on the sample.  
 

 

[JMF2006]

12 hours ago, appoo said:

 

They would have said that and not "showed signs of impairment". They wouldn't hide a blood test which showed he was legally drunk

 

That is the type of thing the police will not release in their statements.