Damn. The prosecutor said: (1) Ruggs was traveling 156 mph two seconds before the crash and 127 mph at impact; (2) his blood-alcohol concentration was more than twice the legal limit of .08%; and (3) he had a loaded gun in the car. Unbelievable. If this is true, I don't care if Ruggs digs up Clarence Darrow, F. Lee Bailey and Perry Mason; he's going to jail.
I was a police officer in Las Vegas for a long-time, I still have tons of friends that are cops. My buddy that works motors (traffic) said it was a freaking mess, the toyota was on fire when he got there. There was nothing they could do to save the young lady that perished. Then all the press started showing up and creating a shit show. The entire situation falls on Ruggs. I understand, he is young and rich in a city like Vegas and it caught him. Here is info on sentencing: Probation is not an option in Nevada for a conviction on a charge of DUI causing death, which carries a possible sentence of two to 20 years in state prison The judge in this case (Joe Bonaventure) is a no bullshit kind of guy. He is fair and reasonable but he wont play any games. The lawyers Ruggs hired are top freaking notch, real big wigs in Vegas.
If this is true he deserves more than 2 years--dwi is one thing, reckless driving is another. Throw the book at his ass.
Stallworth got off with 30 days by putting a bunch of the families kids through college. I wouldn't be shocked to see Ruggs get a minimal sentence with the understanding that a massive civil settlement was coming. Not saying I agree with it, but that's how the justice system works for people who have money.
From the surviving family's perspective they may prefer this to merely sending him to jail for years while collecting life insurance and whatever liability insurance they would get. It should be their choice and hopefully they have the option.
I doubt that will happen here. Compare the quality of Ruggs' conduct with Stallworth's. Stallworth's blood-alcohol level was less than twice the legal limit, and the news accounts don't mention that he was speeding, let alone driving at 156 mph. Because Ruggs' conduct was so egregious, I can't see any judge or prosecutor cutting him any slack, not matter how much he offers to pay to the decedent's estate. They know that giving him "celebrity justice" by letting him off by writing a check would deliver exactly the wrong kind of message.
My 2007 C6 Corvette Z06 had a top speed of 198 mph. That doesn't mean I ever went that fast. But I did take it to the track where you can go that fast (but I didn't.)
I don't disagree on any of it. But I also know money talks. And I can't imagine the family will be thrilled with the seven years he would ultimately get after a year and a half of litigation.
I'm referring to the charge carrying the 2 to 20 year sentence. It's possible he gets even more for reckless driving, possessing a loaded gun while drunk, etc. I'm just saying he shouldn't get a break. I'm usually pretty inclined to think people should get a second chance, but this DUI has about the worst set of aggravating circumstances I've ever seen.
The big difference with Stallworth was causation. A man walked out in the middles of traffic where people were driving 50 mph. There was no way to prove that being under the influence caused the accident. Here you have an impact at 127 mph and a moderate .16 BAC reading well above the legal limit. Rugg's is toast, going to prison and is unlikely to ever play another NFL snap again. Shame for him, shame for the victim, a shame for his seriously injured girlfriend and a shame for the families on both sides. Many lives were ruined.
