Raiders Release Henry Ruggs III Following Deadly Crash, As Wide Receiver Faces Two Felony Charges

The Las Vegas Raiders made it official on Twitter Tuesday night, that the team has released Henry Ruggs III. As LOJ reported earlier in the night, alcohol or substance abuse above the legal limit is officially considered conduct detrimental to the league and integrity of the game under the NFL drug policy and constitutes grounds to release a player.

It is unclear if Ruggs was in fact impaired but several outlets have reported that police said he would be charged with DUI resulting in death following a fiery crash that left a driver of another SUV dead. Cops told TMZ Sports that Ruggs was impaired.

Ruggs faces felony charges of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death and reckless driving, according to court records reviewed by ESPN. Ruggs was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and taken to jail Tuesday ahead of a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, according to ESPN.

Ruggs could face a minimum two years up to twenty in jail if convicted on the DUI resulting in death charge and one to six years if convicted of the second felony of reckless driving. Nevada has strict DUI laws and a DUI felony is a non probationary offense requiring anyone convicted to go to jail and not serve probation instead.

The NFL drug policy requires a minimum three-game suspension for any DUI related offense that does not involve injury or death. An NFL punishment upon a positive finding of DUI that caused injury or death would be more than three games and a charge would place Ruggs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.

The team decided to release Ruggs instead.

Check out our coverage including:

Ruggs’ possible penalties if charged and convicted

The NFL’s historic and ongoing DUI problem

Ruggs’ possible defense strategy in our new DEFENSE section where we present the athlete’s side and legal strategies.

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