Raiders' Henry Ruggs III charged with DUI and reckless driving after fatal car accident

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has been charged with DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm and reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm following a crash Tuesday morning in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department said it responded at approximately 3:39 a.m. to a vehicle collision between a Chevrolet Corvette driven by Ruggs and a Toyota. The Toyota was on fire and fire department personnel discovered a deceased victim inside the vehicle. A preliminary investigation indicated that the front of the Corvette collided with the rear of the Toyota.

Ruggs, 22, remained on the scene and showed signs of impairment, police said. He and a female passenger were taken to University Medical Center and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

In Nevada, the charge for DUI causing bodily harm or death is a category B felony punishable by a minimum of 2 years in prison and maximum of 20 after conviction.

The Raiders released Ruggs on Tuesday night.

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Ruggs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, told the Associated Press that they also were investigating the crash “and ask everyone to reserve judgment until all the facts are gathered.”

The Raiders selected Ruggs 12th overall in the 2020 draft out of Alabama. He had caught 24 passes for 469 yards and two touchdowns this season.

“The Raiders are aware of an accident involving Henry Ruggs III that occurred this morning in Las Vegas," the team said in a statement prior to the wide receiver's release. "We are devastated by the loss of life and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family. We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”

Said the NFL in a statement: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim of this horrific tragedy. We will continue to gather facts and monitor the matter under our policies, but our thoughts at this time are with those impacted by this devastating incident.”

Las Vegas earlier this season saw the resignation of former coach Jon Gruden after a separate investigation into the Washington Football Team revealed he sent emails with racist, homophobic and misogynistic language to NFL personnel within the past decade.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.