Convict NFL star Henry Ruggs III seeks release from jail five years on from killing woman in drunken crash

Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III is seeking release from prison as soon as this August.

The former wide receiver, 27, was sentenced to three-to-ten years in prison in August of 2023 after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

However, he could be out from behind bars this summer when he becomes eligible for parole on August 5.

Ruggs, who killed Tina Tintor and her dog while driving at 156 mph, has initiated the process to seek his release, according to AL.com.

He reportedly made his first appearance in front of the Nevada Board of Parole earlier this week via Zoom from Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City.

He is said to have petitioned to the Board of Parole to grant him 'the privilege of parole so I can prove myself to everyone.'

'Not a minute goes by where I don't think of the pain I caused her family, her friends and the Las Vegas community,' Ruggs said in video obtained by News 3 LV. 'I'm a religious person and pray for her family daily.'

The board reportedly plans to make its decision on Ruggs' parole by June 14.

Ruggs was a standout for Alabama who recorded 1,716 yards and 24 touchdowns on just 98 receptions over a three-year period in Tuscaloosa before declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft.

After impressing with the Crimson Tide, Ruggs was drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the draft.

However, his stint in Las Vegas only lasted one year when it came to an abrupt end in November 2021.

Ruggs was behind the wheel under the influence when he was involved in the fatal car crash that killed 23-year-old Tintor and her dog.

He was allegedly driving at 156mph seconds before the accident, and ultimately slammed into the car of victim Tintor at 127mph. A coroner later revealed that Tintor and her dog burned to death.

The speed limit in the area was 45mph and Ruggs had a blood-alcohol level twice legal limit when he crashed at around 3:30am, cops said.

Ruggs, who had been facing 50 years behind bars, ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death and one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

Ruggs was cut by the Raiders following the pre-dawn crash as he recovered in a Las Vegas-area hospital. He and his fiancee were also injured in the collision.

Ruggs is currently being held at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, a medium-security prison in the state capital of Carson City.

He was relocated to the facility last year after previously being held at Casa Grande Transitional Center.