The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners considered Monday morning whether to release former Raiders player Henry Ruggs.
Ruggs, 27, was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in 2023 for killing 23-year-old Tina Tintor in a 2021 crash. He pleaded guilty to a felony charge of DUI resulting in death and a count of vehicular manslaughter.
Commissioners did not announce a decision to grant or deny parole at the hearing, but said they would make one in the next few weeks.
At the time of the crash, Ruggs was speeding down Rainbow Boulevard in his Corvette Stingray when he slammed the back of Tintor’s SUV so violently that it caught fire. Tintor’s dog was also killed.
He was driving up to 156 miles per hour seconds before the crash and authorities said his blood alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit.
Nevada Department of Corrections records show that he is currently incarcerated at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center.
Ruggs and his supporters addressed the parole board.
“I take full responsibility for my actions that led to Ms. Tintor’s death and her dog Max,” said Ruggs, who appeared at the Las Vegas hearing via Zoom.
He said he prays for her family daily and wants to be able to care for his fiancee and daughter.
Defense attorney David Chesnoff said Ruggs had shown concern for Tintor’s family and had the support necessary to reintegrate into society.
“Henry is sincere,” said the lawyer. “He is sincerely remorseful. He sincerely understands the trauma that this has caused.”
Family members of Tintor did not speak at the public portion of Ruggs’ hearing, but parole board staff said they had the right to address the board privately.
Tintor’s family and supporters did not comment after the hearing.
Ruggs spoke about the case at a Hope for Prisoners event last year.
“I wish that I could turn back the hands of time,” he said.
“Every parent’s worst nightmare is to create a beautiful child just to have them taken away at the hands of another’s negligence,” said Tintor’s cousin, Daniel Strbac, in a statement prepared by her mother, Mirjana Komazec, at Ruggs’ sentencing hearing. “There are very few words to explain the feelings of losing a child. It is a pain we feel every day.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com.
