Nevada Parole Board Denies Henry Ruggs III Early Release Bid After Fatal 156 Mph DUI Crash That Killed Tina Tintor in Las Vegas

CARSON CITY, NV — The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners rejected Henry Ruggs III’s request for early release on Thursday, leaving the former Las Vegas Raiders receiver behind bars for now. Ruggs was convicted after a 2021 crash in Las Vegas that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog, Max.

Board members heard arguments that Ruggs had changed, shown remorse and prepared himself to return to society, but they were not persuaded. His next chance for release is tied to a mandatory parole date in 2027.

The crash and conviction

Prosecutors said Ruggs was driving his sports car at speeds of up to 156 mph on the night of Nov. 2, 2021, before slamming into Tintor’s vehicle. The crash sent her car into flames and killed both Tintor and her dog.

Authorities also said Ruggs was legally drunk, with a blood alcohol level of 0.16 measured within two hours of the wreck, or twice the legal limit. He later pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

Sentence ended NFL career

Ruggs was sentenced in August 2023 to a prison term of three to 10 years. The case effectively ended his NFL career after he had been a first-round draft pick for the Raiders in 2020.

There have been occasional whispers about a possible comeback if he is released in the future, but any return would depend first on when he gets out of prison.

Work and education in prison

During his time in custody, Ruggs completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama and took part in prison work and trustee programs. Those efforts included a stint working at the Nevada governor’s mansion through a state inmate work program.

His supporters told the board those steps showed he had improved as a person and taken responsibility for the crash. The parole commissioners still said no.

Next parole review ahead

According to the Associated Press, Ruggs will go before the parole board again three months before his Aug. 24, 2027, mandatory parole release date. That keeps his earliest realistic release tied to the board’s future review rather than Thursday’s hearing.

For now, the denial means Ruggs remains in prison while the board waits to revisit the case closer to the mandatory date.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.