A relatively successful season for the first-place Raiders on the field continues to be a nightmare off of it. Las Vegas police announced that second-year wideout Henry Ruggs will be charged with DUI resulting in death due to his involvement in a car accident that happened early Tuesday morning.
The two-car accident involving Ruggs (who was driving a Chevrolet Corvette) and the deceased driver (who was driving Toyota Rav4) came while the 22-year-old player allegedly was under the influence while behind the wheel.
It’s a devastating story for many reasons, and could be the end of the line for Ruggs in the NFL if he is convicted. In Nevada, DUI resulting in death is a Class B felony that comes with punishments including two to 20 years in prison, fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 and a three-year driver’s license suspension.
The Raiders, who already went through a scandal earlier this season that resulted in head coach Jon Gruden losing his job, have shown signs of resiliency this season and sit at 5-2 on the year atop the AFC West. The loss of Ruggs on the field and the amount of drama, distraction and sadness the events of Tuesday morning will likely create off of it may be too much for the team to overcome.
Earlier this year, former Kansas City Chiefs team assistant coach Britt Reid, the son of head coach Andy Reid, was charged with driving while intoxicated causing serious physical injury two months after he hit two cars on an Interstate 435 just days before the Super Bowl, critically injuring a young girl. Reid has pleaded not guilty and the case has not been resolved.
In a statement, the Raiders offered their condolences for the victim and said the organization is still gathering information.
A speedster drafted in the first round out of Alabama at No. 12 overall in 2020, Ruggs has 24 catches for 469 yards and two touchdowns this season. His 19.5 yards per catch average is second in the NFL among pass-catchers with at least 20 receptions.
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