Coroner: Woman killed in alleged Henry Ruggs III DUI crash burned to death
A Nevada coroner revealed on Tuesday that the woman killed in the alleged DUI crash involving former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III burned to death in her car.
Tina Tintor "died from thermal injuries due to a motor vehicle collision on Nov. 2,” according to Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse. She was 23 years old.
“Other significant conditions contributing to her death were inhalation of products of combustion, fractures of the nasal bones, right sided ribs ... left forearm and (chest),” a statement from Rouse to the Associated Press reads. “The manner of her death was accidental.”
Police: Ruggs was driving 156 mph while drunk
Police say that Ruggs was driving his Corvette 156 mph early on Nov. 2 on a residential Las Vegas street while under the influence of alcohol before colliding into Tintor's Toyota Rav4, rupturing the gas tank, killing her and her golden retriever Max. Ruggs' blood alcohol content was 0.16% on the night of the crash, twice the legal limit in Nevada, according to police. The posted speed limit was 45 mph. Police say they found a loaded handgun in the wreckage of Ruggs' car.
Witnesses told police that they heard screams and attempted to rescue Tintor and her dog, but were unable to approach the car engulfed by smoke and fire, according to AP.
Ruggs and his girlfriend Kiara Je'nai Kilgo-Washington were both hospitalized with unspecified injuries after the crash. Ruggs is charged with two felony counts of driving under the influence causing death or serious injury, two felony counts of reckless driving and a misdemeanor weapon charge. He posted $150,000 bail and remains on house arrest.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in November that Ruggs faces a minimum of two years and up to 50 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Ruggs, 22, was a first-round pick by the Raiders out of Alabama in the 2020 NFL draft. He played 20 NFL games with the Raiders before being released after his arrest. He was a three-year standout at Alabama and won a national championship in 2017.
