Henry Ruggs III involved in serious car accident (Update: To be charged with DUI resulting in death)

[CB4]

Crimson glasses off. He did a horrible thing. He can’t undo it.

But he’s been a model inmate. He seems to be doing everything he is supposed to do. He seems to be trying to do the right thing. So if he’s eligible for parole, I wonder why he was denied.

Not necessarily “model”. The Nevada Parole Board cited two disciplinary infractions by Henry and and a third “rule violation” that led to his removal from a community supervision program.

Given the recklessness of Henry’s actions that put in prison, I’m thinking Ruggs probably needed a near pristine record to get parole on the first attempt by this board.

 

[tideindc]

Older I get the more I realize how important “ point of view” is to how we feel about most things. I’d like to have seen him get parole because yea he’s a Bama guy, who happened to drive real fast while drunk , which many of us have done as a youngster. The difference of course is this time the result was tragic and unforgivable. There was no malice or criminal
Intent .. as if he set out to kill or rob someone. (But I know legally his reckless negligence is criminal).

So I’d like him to be out and on w his life. But… were he from Auburn.. maybe not!

 

[CB4]

Older I get the more I realize how important “ point of view” is to how we feel about most things. I’d like to have seen him get parole because yea he’s a Bama guy, who happened to drive real fast while drunk , which many of us have done as a youngster. The difference of course is this time the result was tragic and unforgivable. There was no malice or criminal
Intent .. as if he set out to kill or rob someone. (But I know legally his reckless negligence is criminal).

So I’d like him to be out and on w his life. But… were he from Auburn.. maybe not!

I think Henry’s original sentence following his guilty plea was three to ten years. My guess is that in order to get parole after serving the minimum would have required exceptional behavior while incarcerated. Those three infractions, however minor they may (or may not) have been gave the parole board the room to deny his parole. His next review is May 2027.

Like you said “point of view” is everything. So is perception. I’m sure this parole board was concerned with the public perception of letting Ruggs out after serving the minimum in a situation where a 23 year old lost her life, malice intended or not.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Crimson glasses off. He did a horrible thing. He can’t undo it.

But he’s been a model inmate. He seems to be doing everything he is supposed to do. He seems to be trying to do the right thing. So if he’s eligible for parole, I wonder why he was denied.

My guess is the human element.

I loved him as a FB player but he caused one of the most horrific deaths another human can experience.

If I was on the parole board he’d serve the maximum sentence which I believe is 10 years and honestly still waaaay too short.

 

[AlexanderFan]

My guess is the human element.

I loved him as a FB player but he caused one of the most horrific deaths another human can experience.

If I was on the parole board he’d serve the maximum sentence which I believe is 10 years and honestly still waaaay too short.

He made a lot of inexcusable conscious decisions to end up in his predicament.

More money than sense, so many opportunities to not be in a position to crash into a car and kill a young woman.

I certainly hope when he does get released that he takes this chance to share his story and maybe keep another person from having to experience what he has.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Regardless of his prison record (which isn't pristine), 3 years isn't enough.

Ruggs didn't set out to do it, but his criminal actions caused a 23-year-old to be burned to death. We know the impact of the wreck -- as distinct from an "accident" -- didn't kill her because the interior of her lungs was burned. IOW, in the process of being burned to death, she inhaled flames.

Try to imagine what that poor woman's last minute of consciousness must have entailed.

I'm not sure the 10-year maximum sentence he got is enough for that.

 

[dtgreg]

Crimson glasses off. He did a horrible thing. He can’t undo it.

But he’s been a model inmate. He seems to be doing everything he is supposed to do. He seems to be trying to do the right thing. So if he’s eligible for parole, I wonder why he was denied.

I think he has one year left on his sentence?

 

[CrimsonNagus]

I have no sympathy. He killed someone, he should be in jail for a lot longer than 10 years IMO. I know people say he had no malice or criminal intent, but getting behind the wheel drunk constitutes criminal intent IMO. Throw the book at everyone that does this crap.

I’ve had 3 sips of an alcoholic beverage in my entire life; 2 of them were 22 years ago at my wedding and the third was 2 years ago on our 20th anniversary cruise. All 3 were nasty. I don’t understand people who desire this stuff and enjoy getting wasted. I’ve never needed alcohol to have a fun time with people. It is beyond my comprehension and makes zero sense to me. Everyone who drives drunk should never be allowed to drive again. So I have no sympathy, drink a dang soda instead.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I have no sympathy. He killed someone, he should be in jail for a lot longer than 10 years IMO. I know people say he had no malice or criminal intent, but getting behind the wheel drunk constitutes criminal intent IMO. Throw the book at everyone that does this crap.

I’ve had 3 sips of an alcoholic beverage in my entire life; 2 of them were 22 years ago at my wedding and the third was 2 years ago on our 20th anniversary cruise. All 3 were nasty. I don’t understand people who desire this stuff and enjoy getting wasted. I’ve never needed alcohol to have a fun time with people. It is beyond my comprehension and makes zero sense to me. Everyone who drives drunk should never be allowed to drive again. So I have no sympathy, drink a dang soda instead.

I can tell you as someone who wondered the same, but tried alcohol anyway; beyond the taste, for me there was a spot after a few sips where little aches and pains were gone and my mind was calm. I can see the attraction to it, but not sloppy drunk don’t know where you are like some folks get on a routine basis.

 

[Bazza]

Let's not forget a 4 legged companion also died a horrible death here......

A 3-year-old golden retriever named Max.

As far as I'm concerned....I don't care if he ever gets out.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

Crimson glasses off. He did a horrible thing. He can’t undo it.

But he’s been a model inmate. He seems to be doing everything he is supposed to do. He seems to be trying to do the right thing. So if he’s eligible for parole, I wonder why he was denied.

They said the horrific nature of the accident played a role in the decision. They also said "The guideline recommendation is to parole you at your first or second hearing, and this being your first*, so it sounds like they will probably grant it next year if he continues to be a model inmate.

Ex-Raiders WR Henry Ruggs denied parole nearly 5 years after crash

Ex-NFL player Henry Ruggs was denied parole nearly five years after killing a woman in a car crash in Las Vegas, the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners ruled Thursday.

www.espn.com

 

[Ledsteplin]

Crimson glasses off. He did a horrible thing. He can’t undo it.

But he’s been a model inmate. He seems to be doing everything he is supposed to do. He seems to be trying to do the right thing. So if he’s eligible for parole, I wonder why he was denied.

Family may have showed up and made impact statements. No clue.

 

[davefrat]

With limited exceptions, Virginia has no parole system. When a client requested an early release for good behavior, most of the judges would say something along the lines that the client committed such and such offense, and received X number of years for the offense and why should you get out early for doing what you're supposed to do as a result of your conviction that you received because you wouldn't do what you were supposed to do before you were locked up?

 

[CaliforniaTide]

With limited exceptions, Virginia has no parole system. When a client requested an early release for good behavior, most of the judges would say something along the lines that the client committed such and such offense, and received X number of years for the offense and why should you get out early for doing what you're supposed to do as a result of your conviction that you received because you wouldn't do what you were supposed to do before you were locked up?

I wish this was true of all states, regardless of the type of crime.

 

[davefrat]

I wish this was true of all states, regardless of the type of crime.

There’s humanitarian parole for elderly or ill inmates but that’s about it.

You have to serve 85% of whatever your sentence is to be eligible for release in most instances.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I have no sympathy. He killed someone, he should be in jail for a lot longer than 10 years IMO. I know people say he had no malice or criminal intent, but getting behind the wheel drunk constitutes criminal intent IMO. Throw the book at everyone that does this crap.

I’ve had 3 sips of an alcoholic beverage in my entire life; 2 of them were 22 years ago at my wedding and the third was 2 years ago on our 20th anniversary cruise. All 3 were nasty. I don’t understand people who desire this stuff and enjoy getting wasted. I’ve never needed alcohol to have a fun time with people. It is beyond my comprehension and makes zero sense to me. Everyone who drives drunk should never be allowed to drive again. So I have no sympathy, drink a dang soda instead.

I can tell you as someone who wondered the same, but tried alcohol anyway; beyond the taste, for me there was a spot after a few sips where little aches and pains were gone and my mind was calm. I can see the attraction to it, but not sloppy drunk don’t know where you are like some folks get on a routine basis.

Alcohol is an interesting substance. It can be a social lubricant, reducing anxiety and self-consciousness. Wine can be an enhancement to food and vice-versa. Together, both can be better than either is alone. And yes, little aches and pains can fade. It can also provide an escape from daily troubles.

That said, nobody likes a sloppy drunk. And alcohol can affect different people in different ways. Some people can't handle it -- they become belligerent or even violent. It also affects your ability to operate machinery, including a car, well before you get sloppy drunk.

Like a lot of things, it's not binary. It has good points and bad. We tried Prohibition, and that didn't work out well. Yet nobody condones excessive consumption.

 

[davefrat]

Alcohol is an interesting substance. It can be a social lubricant, reducing anxiety and self-consciousness. Wine can be an enhancement to food and vice-versa. Together, both can be better than either is alone. And yes, little aches and pains can fade. It can also provide an escape from daily troubles.

That said, nobody likes a sloppy drunk. And alcohol can affect different people in different ways. Some people can't handle it -- they become belligerent or even violent. It also affects your ability to operate machinery, including a car, well before you get sloppy drunk.

Like a lot of things, it's not binary. It has good points and bad. We tried Prohibition, and that didn't work out well. Yet nobody condones excessive consumption.

I love to drink, although with age I have had to curtail my use, but driving after drinking any amount is something I simply will not do and have not done since I was a very young man.

I think it's one of the most irresponsible avoidable situations one can find themselves in, especially today with all the options available to get a ride.

I get that Ruggs was a very young man when he made this terrible decision, but that's no excuse. Plus, the person he killed was also very young.

I'm guessing that he asks himself every day "why didn't I just take a cab or hire a driver?"

Sadly, now a young person is dead, their family is devastated, and Ruggs' life is largely ruined.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I love to drink, although with age I have had to curtail my use, but driving after drinking any amount is something I simply will not do and have not done since I was a very young man.

I think it's one of the most irresponsible avoidable situations one can find themselves in, especially today with all the options available to get a ride.

I get that Ruggs was a very young man when he made this terrible decision, but that's no excuse. Plus, the person he killed was also very young.

I'm guessing that he asks himself every day "why didn't I just take a cab or hire a driver?"

Sadly, now a young person is dead, their family is devastated, and Ruggs' life is largely ruined.

I once drank a fair amount of scotch. Still have probably a case and a half of really good stuff. But I haven't had a total of 5 scotches in 5 years. I drink mostly wine now. Some beer, but mostly wine. About 60% - 65% red / 35% - 40% white. With seldom exceptions, my liquor consumption is limited to bourbon and coke on Alabama football game days.

Wine has been a fun mental and sensory exercise for me. There's a ton of history, science, and most importantly meteorology in it. You can go as far down that rabbit hole and do as many mental push-ups as your curiosity and mental endurance can handle.

I'm more geeked-out than most, but even I have reached my limit. I'm mainly trying to maintain an existing knowledge base.

Still, there's no greater gastronomic pleasure than the right wine paired with the right food.

And yes...as I age I'm cutting back for any number of reasons. But absent a medical imperative, I doubt I'll ever stop altogether.

 

[RdunawayTX]

I read the first two "you should burn in extra hell" posts and they irritated me. Then the couple about not understanding drinking in the first place. I only found one of those irritating and judgy. I appreciate your perspective @4Q Basket Case .

In this case, let's keep in mind that Ruggs wasn't just driving drunk, he was driving north of 150 mph and caused a woman to burn to death. Folks. I've never been that drunk in my entire life to cause that level of stupidity. Ever.

Have I driven drunk before? Rarely, but yes. Did I hurt anyone? No. But that's because I got lucky. Very lucky. May 28th made 20 years sober. Looking back, I just shake my head and wonder what I was thinking. And, folks, I'm pretty sure my guardian angel drank back then, too.

The good news is that, as a society, we are drinking a ton less than we used to. Education has helped a great deal and it's cool to not drink or to take an Uber if you do. I'd love to never read about another Henry Ruggs again.

I've typed this last paragraph and deleted it several times because I don't want to get a vacation. But some of y'all really need a bit more perspective and bit less superiority.

 

[uafan4life]

...I'm guessing that he asks himself every day "why didn't I just take a cab or hire a driver?"

Sadly, now a young person is dead, their family is devastated, and Ruggs' life is largely ruined.

This. So much this.

If I had NFL star money - or anything remotely close to it - I'd rarely drive myself anywhere. Not primarily for alcohol consumption reasons - though that would be an ancillary benefit - but rather for time and convenience. Being able to be dropped off and picked up at my destination of choice without being the one responsible for dealing with traffic, managing parking, etc., could literally add years to your life both in terms of reduced stress and saved time...

Of course, there's a better-than-average chance that Ruggs grew up in a social climate where vehicles constituted a form of social currency - and those types of childhood dreams and patterns are hard to break...