Former Raiders WR Ruggs charged in fatal crash, released from Las Vegas Raiders

[BaseballJones]

In the next town over from me a number of years ago, a terrible accident happened. A woman was on her way to pick up her son from high school football practice. She's on a smaller side road in rural CT, looking to cross a larger road. This crossing was in the valley between two hills. She pulls up to the stop sign, looks left, looks right, and pulls out.

And gets smashed by a guy on a motorcycle traveling in excess of 150 mph.

The guy was hauling ass over the hill so fast that he was on her in the time it took her to finish her glance left (the direction he hit her from) and glance right and hit the gas. The collision was so violent that it launched her out the passenger's window of the car. He was literally buried in the back seat of the car. Both died instantaneously.

150 miles an hour is incredibly fast under any normal circumstances (the exception being races done by professional drivers) and unbelievably stupid and dangerous. Especially on town or city roads (not highways), and especially while intoxicated.

Just an unfathomably awful.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

View: https://twitter.com/k_newberg/status/1455927632416022536?s=21


Traveling 156mph
BAC 2x the legal limit
Loaded gun in the car.

A dog was also killed in the crash.

Fuck him. I hope he gets the maximum.

Wouldn’t you expect a plea deal?

 

[lexrageorge]

Wouldn’t you expect a plea deal?

Given that he was driving 156 mph, he is almost certainly seeing some jail time even in a plea deal. And his playing days are done; Goodell now has zero reason to allow him back into the league, and the NFLPA can do literally nothing about it.

 

[jcd0805]

What an absolute asshole, the only saving grace is hopefully the poor woman and dog in the car were killed instantly on impact and did not burn alive. Seriously, what an absolute fucking asshole.

 

[johnmd20]

Given that he was driving 156 mph, he is almost certainly seeing some jail time even in a plea deal. And his playing days are done; Goodell now has zero reason to allow him back into the league, and the NFLPA can do literally nothing about it.

Ruggs isn't that great. He's in the Ray Rice zone. Good player but not worth the headache.

His career is certainly over. It doesn't matter what Goodell does or doesn't do. He killed someone.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Given that he was driving 156 mph, he is almost certainly seeing some jail time even in a plea deal. And his playing days are done; Goodell now has zero reason to allow him back into the league, and the NFLPA can do literally nothing about it.

I don’t recall the specifics surrounding Donte Stallworth but I believe he faced the same charge, pled out, served like a month, and was back on the field in a year. I wouldn’t expect the same and how much worse will he get? I expect him to play again and hopefully turn his life around as Stallworth has. I would expect the NFLPA to fight for Ruggs after he has served his time.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Airbags deployed at almost 130mph, and he and his girlfriend survived?

Thank you Chevrolet for making a car safe enough to allow this asshole to serve time. Probably didn't want to take an Uber because he couldn't leave the gun in the car, while he went to Top Golf.

 

[lexrageorge]

I don’t recall the specifics surrounding Donte Stallworth but I believe he faced the same charge, pled out, served like a month, and was back on the field in a year. I wouldn’t expect the same and how much worse will he get? I expect him to play again and hopefully turn his life around as Stallworth has. I would expect the NFLPA to fight for Ruggs after he has served his time.

There is ZERO similarity between Ruggs and Stallworth besides perhaps the initial charge. Stallworth's crime was being drunk when someone literally ran out in front of his car. Ruggs made a deliberate action by traveling 156mph; that's an action that will matter a lot to both the DA and judge. A high-priced lawyer will not suffice.

The NFLPA has literally as much power as Goodell grants to it. His power to be the final arbiter in all disputes was reinforced by the Deflategate court rulings. Goodell will not even hear the appeal, and there will be literally nothing the PA can do.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

There is ZERO similarity between Ruggs and Stallworth besides perhaps the initial charge. Stallworth's crime was being drunk when someone literally ran out in front of his car. Ruggs made a deliberate action by traveling 156mph; that's an action that will matter a lot to both the DA and judge. A high-priced lawyer will not suffice.

The NFLPA has literally as much power as Goodell grants to it. His power to be the final arbiter in all disputes was reinforced by the Deflategate court rulings. Goodell will not even hear the appeal, and there will be literally nothing the PA can do.

Thanks I didn’t remember specifics. Such an awful event.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Bobby Phills and David Wesley weren't even going 100. 156?

 

[fairlee76]

There is ZERO similarity between Ruggs and Stallworth besides perhaps the initial charge. Stallworth's crime was being drunk when someone literally ran out in front of his car. Ruggs made a deliberate action by traveling 156mph; that's an action that will matter a lot to both the DA and judge. A high-priced lawyer will not suffice.

The NFLPA has literally as much power as Goodell grants to it. His power to be the final arbiter in all disputes was reinforced by the Deflategate court rulings. Goodell will not even hear the appeal, and there will be literally nothing the PA can do.

Absolutely correct on there being zero similarity between the two cases. Obviously not excusing Stallworth driving while impaired but IIRC he stayed on the scene and expressed what seemed like legitimate remorse to the family of the deceased. What Ruggs did here is sociopathic.

 

[BigSoxFan]

What’s the rationale for even offering this asshole a plea deal?

 

[Cellar-Door]

Wouldn’t you expect a plea deal?

I mean, if I'm the prosecutor... this is high profile, so probably worth the effort to try, I'm not offering him anything less than 10 years, probably 15.

I mean... what's his argument going to be... I have him testing out well above the limit, I have him going more than 100MPH OVER the speed limit, I have a dead 23 year old woman. I have a bunch of other charges I can add on

He may plead, but a guy like Ruggs.... I bet he thinks he can beat it and stay in the NFL, and the prosecutor has no incentive to offer him a deal that gets him out in time for that.

What’s the rationale for even offering this asshole a plea deal?

Saves the taxpayers a lot of time and money, lets the DA focus on other crimes that are recurring in nature (Sex trafficking, drug trafficking, etc.) same as most plea deals, DA doesn't have anywhere near the time, manpower or money to spend months going to trial on everything.

 

[Bergs]

Holy Shit.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

What’s the rationale for even offering this asshole a plea deal?

So he can return to the NFL and pay the victim's family restitution. He won't be returning to the NFL though so I don't know.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I mean, if I'm the prosecutor... this is high profile, so probably worth the effort to try, I'm not offering him anything less than 10 years, probably 15.

I mean... what's his argument going to be... I have him testing out well above the limit, I have him going more than 100MPH OVER the speed limit, I have a dead 23 year old woman. I have a bunch of other charges I can add on

He may plead, but a guy like Ruggs.... I bet he thinks he can beat it and stay in the NFL, and the prosecutor has no incentive to offer him a deal that gets him out in time for that.


Saves the taxpayers a lot of time and money, lets the DA focus on other crimes that are recurring in nature (Sex trafficking, drug trafficking, etc.) same as most plea deals, DA doesn't have anywhere near the time, manpower or money to spend months going to trial on everything.

Maybe but this exactly the high profile case I would be fine as a taxpayer paying to hopefully reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

 

[Marciano490]

What’s the rationale for even offering this asshole a plea deal?

In addition to what’s been stated, spares the victim’s family the stress and spectacle of a trial.

I didn’t even realize a non-exotic car could reach those speeds.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

Here’s the answer to the “Top Golf closes at midnight” question:

View: https://twitter.com/johnlundradio/status/1455954499231703051?s=21


He went to a friend’s house. That friend who let him leave behind the wheel of a car can get fucked, he’s not really a friend.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Maybe but this exactly the high profile case I would be fine as a taxpayer paying to hopefully reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Yeah, that's why I mentioned the low incentive to offer a deal under 10 years. On the other hand, this is some rando, they probably offer him 5-7 years, he takes it and that's it.

 

[uncannymanny]

I didn’t even realize a non-exotic car could reach those speeds.

I’m assuming “Chevy Corvette“ means the nice model that goes ~200mph (all Corvettes are probably capable of 150?).

 

[Bergs]

He went to a friend’s house. That friend who let him leave behind the wheel of a car can get fucked, he’s not really a friend.

Maybe that friend was in no position to be of sound judgment at 3:00 AM in his own house. Which is his right.

I generally have some sympathy for people who fuck up under the influence, especially young people. But fuck Henry Ruggs III. Hard.

 

[joe dokes]

Ancillary question for the car knowers......does the 156 to 127 decel mean he braked, or is that the decel from the moment of impact to the (millisecond later) moment of deployment? Either way, it seems like some sort of minor miracle that the people in *his* car aren't dead or maimed.

 

[Groovenstein]

His career is certainly over. It doesn't matter what Goodell does or doesn't do. He killed someone.

So a job at ESPN and a statue outside the stadium?

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Holy Shit.

Was that shirt released today, or was it already a thing? If it was already a thing, I won't blast it, because the one thing Ruggs was known for was his speed on the field.

If it was released yesterday/today, those motherfuckers deserve whatever pain the internet can bring to them and their company.

 

[djbayko]

Edit: Nevermind. Death’s post had me thinking it was an official shirt.

 

[johnmd20]

Was that shirt released today, or was it already a thing? If it was already a thing, I won't blast it, because the one thing Ruggs was known for was his speed on the field.

If it was released yesterday/today, those motherfuckers deserve whatever pain the internet can bring to them and their company.

Man, I just assumed it was already a thing. Could this be new?

Jeez, I'm with you.

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

In addition to what’s been stated, spares the victim’s family the stress and spectacle of a trial.

I didn’t even realize a non-exotic car could reach those speeds.

Top speed of Z51 2020 corvette 194 MPH

the standard 460 horsepower 2020 Corvette is 180 MPH

modern Corvettes are essentially supercars at non-super car prices

 

[Swedgin]

In addition to what’s been stated, spares the victim’s family the stress and spectacle of a trial.

I didn’t even realize a non-exotic car could reach those speeds.

A plea only happens in this case if the victim's family is fully on board and/or the trial judge really downs on you.. Otherwise, as a prosecutor you are better off letting a jury decide. You are going to end up with some amount of negative PR no matter what you agree to. If the jury gives him 10 instead of 15, that's on the jury.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

In addition to what’s been stated, spares the victim’s family the stress and spectacle of a trial.

I didn’t even realize a non-exotic car could reach those speeds.

Corvette junkie here. The top speed of the 2021 Corvette (I assume that's what he was driving) is 194 mph. It goes 0-60 in 2.9 seconds. On the drag strip, it's been timed at 9.37 seconds in the quarter mile, which means it went 0-147 mph in a quarter mile.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Man, I just assumed it was already a thing. Could this be new?

Jeez, I'm with you.

I'm guessing they existed before today because a lot of sites are showing 404s.

 

[Captaincoop]

Forget about calling an Uber, even. The NFL has a program where a player in any NFL city can page a private car - free of charge, no questions asked - to take them home in situations like this.

Not that it should even be necessary given the availability of Uber everywhere now and the fact that these guys make millions of dollars.

Just unfathomable that you're getting in a car hammered as a millionaire with so much to lose and no excuses.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Man, I just assumed it was already a thing. Could this be new?

Jeez, I'm with you.

Either way, it is a shit link with no context. I feel dirty for having clicked it and given them another view

 

[joe dokes]

A plea only happens in this case if the victim's family is fully on board and/or the trial judge really downs on you.. Otherwise, as a prosecutor you are better off letting a jury decide. You are going to end up with some amount of negative PR no matter what you agree to. If the jury gives him 10 instead of 15, that's on the jury.

FWIW...a jury is unlikely to be deciding a sentence in non-capital cases. That's on the judge.

 

[axx]

Only thing I can think of is to try to argue that the accident and/or the fire is at least partially the girl's fault; or hope the autopsy shows she was drunk too.

 

[jcd0805]

Only thing I can think of is to try to argue that the accident and/or the fire is at least partially the girl's fault; or hope the autopsy shows she was drunk too.

He was going 156 mph on a city road. Short of her drag racing him there is NO chance they pin this on that poor dead girl.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

He was going 156 mph on a city road. Short of her drag racing him there is NO chance they pin this on that poor dead girl.

Didn't she have a dog in the car? Blame it on her being distracted by the dog? It would be a pretty gross thing to do though.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Can I just suggest that until the point that Ruggs's lawyers actually attempt the "blame the dead girl" defense, that we exercise a tad more common decency and not go there?

 

[Marciano490]

Blame what? He veered into her lane going twice the limit and drunk as shit. Lewis Hamilton on 40mg of adderall couldn’t have avoided the crash.

 

[BigSoxFan]

In addition to what’s been stated, spares the victim’s family the stress and spectacle of a trial.

I didn’t even realize a non-exotic car could reach those speeds.

Fair point that I didn’t consider. Agree on the ridiculousness of the speeds. I can’t fathom that speed on a dead highway, let alone a city street.

 

[johnmd20]

Fair point that I didn’t consider. Agree on the ridiculousness of the speeds. I can’t fathom that speed on a dead highway, let alone a city street.

I drive from Ohio to NYC every now and then. There are long stretches where the road is empty and the visibility is many hundreds of yards.

Occasionally I'll take the car to a little over 100 for a few seconds. But it only lasts for a few seconds because it's just not a comfortable feeling. I cannot imagine 156.

Doing 156 on a city street feels like a guarantee you'll kill someone.

 

[nolasoxfan]

Holy Shit.

I mean, at this point, you can almost hear every other sentient species on the planet praying for our extinction.

 

[NDame616]

Forget about calling an Uber, even. The NFL has a program where a player in any NFL city can page a private car - free of charge, no questions asked - to take them home in situations like this.

Not that it should even be necessary given the availability of Uber everywhere now and the fact that these guys make millions of dollars.

Just unfathomable that you're getting in a car hammered as a millionaire with so much to lose and no excuses.

Not that it matters in this case, and yes consider the source, but I think it was Breer on T&R a few years ago saying how the players don't trust that service because they think word will get back to the team and league that they were out late drinking.

Yes I know Uber/Lyft/personal car etc. But according to Breer the players don't trust that service that's offered to them.

Grain of salt and such

 

[DonBuddinE6]

Craig MacTavish played for the Bruins in the early 80s; he was known more for toughness than scoring ability. In the 83-84 season, MacTavish was driving drunk and caused an accident that killed Kim Ridley. He was charged with vehicular homicide and spent about a year in jail.

Most assumed that his career was over. When MacTavish got out, he found a team, the Oilers, that agreed to sign him. He became a solid member of that team, won several Stanley Cups, and became the team's Captain during the latter part of his tenure. After retiring as a player, he was head coach of the team for nearly 10 years.

An awful mistake like drunk driving can lead to tragedy, but sometimes good people make awful mistakes. I'm not willing to eternally condemn a 22-year-old man because he made an awful mistake. No pound of flesh will ever make the price he pays commensurate with the deceased woman's loss. He should serve a reasonable time in jail. Once his sentence is served, it seems cruel to me to deny him an opportunity to get back in the game.

 

[axx]

Can I just suggest that until the point that Ruggs's lawyers actually attempt the "blame the dead girl" defense, that we exercise a tad more common decency and not go there?

Don't see any other options if this is going to trial.

An awful mistake like drunk driving can lead to tragedy, but sometimes good people make awful mistakes. I'm not willing to eternally condemn a 22-year-old man because he made an awful mistake. No pound of flesh will ever make the price he pays commensurate with the deceased woman's loss. He should serve a reasonable time in jail. Once his sentence is served, it seems cruel to me to deny him an opportunity to get back in the game.

The combination of the speed and the BAC makes it very problematic. I doubt he gets 20 but he could easily get 5-10.

 

[Ale Xander]

Blame what? He veered into her lane going twice the limit and drunk as shit. Lewis Hamilton on 40mg of adderall couldn’t have avoided the crash.

Worse. More than thrice. 156 in a 45.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Don't see any other options if this is going to trial.



The combination of the speed and the BAC makes it very problematic. I doubt he gets 20 but he could easily get 5-10.

The loaded gun, assuming it wasn't licensed, will be problematic too....

 

[Marciano490]

Craig MacTavish played for the Bruins in the early 80s; he was known more for toughness than scoring ability. In the 83-84 season, MacTavish was driving drunk and caused an accident that killed Kim Ridley. He was charged with vehicular homicide and spent about a year in jail.

Most assumed that his career was over. When MacTavish got out, he found a team, the Oilers, that agreed to sign him. He became a solid member of that team, won several Stanley Cups, and became the team's Captain during the latter part of his tenure. After retiring as a player, he was head coach of the team for nearly 10 years.

An awful mistake like drunk driving can lead to tragedy, but sometimes good people make awful mistakes. I'm not willing to eternally condemn a 22-year-old man because he made an awful mistake. No pound of flesh will ever make the price he pays commensurate with the deceased woman's loss. He should serve a reasonable time in jail. Once his sentence is served, it seems cruel to me to deny him an opportunity to get back in the game.

The Matthew Broderick life moves pretty fast defense.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

View: https://twitter.com/mickakers/status/1455950198455234560?s=21


These are petty harrowing. This is the bestCorvette advertisement ever, I’m just shocked anyone survived in the Vette hitting another car with 80+ MPM of closure. The car’s safety systems and design elements performed incredibly well.

 

[B H Kim]

Was that shirt released today, or was it already a thing? If it was already a thing, I won't blast it, because the one thing Ruggs was known for was his speed on the field.

If it was released yesterday/today, those motherfuckers deserve whatever pain the internet can bring to them and their company.

It was already a thing. Here's a cached file (since deleted):

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:7AdfHU8e1e0J:https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2021/10/20/22736682/raiders-breaking-t-henry-ruggs-t-shirt+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari

 

[Super Nomario]

The Matthew Broderick life moves pretty fast defense.

Is this a reference to Ferris Bueller or to the fatal car accident Broderick caused?