Tag: crash

NFL Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III

Ex-Raiders WR Henry Ruggs denied parole in fatal crash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was denied parole on Thursday for his role in a fiery drunken-driving crash that killed a woman in Las Vegas in 2021.

Ruggs, 27, was sentenced to three to 10 years in a Nevada state prison in August 2023 after agreeing to a plea deal in death of 23-year-old Tina Tintor.

He was speeding at more than 150 mph when he collided with her car and tests revealed a blood-alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit, according to police reports.

“Mr. Ruggs, and our office, continue to feel the grief and loss suffered by Ms. Tintor’s family,” Ruggs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said in a statement on Thursday, adding that they were disappointed by the parole board’s decision to deny parole.

Ruggs will be eligible to appear again before the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners three months before his mandatory parole release date on Aug. 24, 2027, according to ESPN.

During Ruggs’ appearance before the board last month, he said he accepted full responsibility for his actions.

“Not a minute goes by where I don’t think of the pain I caused her family, her friends and the Las Vegas community. I’m a religious person, and I pray for her family daily,” Ruggs said.

Chesnoff asked the board to set aside his client’s celebrity as an NFL player.

“Sometimes being high-profile makes it more of a burden,” Chesnoff said. “And I would most respectfully ask everybody to treat Henry the way they would anybody that comes before them, except for the fact that I think he’s tried to do as much as humanly possible to send a message that his behavior was unacceptable.”

The Raiders released Ruggs one day after the November 2021 crash. He had 50 catches for 921 yards and four touchdowns in 20 games (19 starts) after being selected No. 12 overall in the 2020 draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Court orders Rashee Rice’s co-defendant to pay $2.88M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A Texas court ruled former SMU cornerback Theodore “Teddy” Knox was “grossly negligent” in a 2024 street racing crash in Dallas that involved Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice.

Judge Kim Bailey Phipps issued a default judgment of $2.88 million on Wednesday against Knox for the accident in which both men lost control of their vehicles in an accident that left several people injured.

The judgment awarded to Kathryn Kuykendall, one of the victims, includes punitive damages and costs for medical expenses and lost wages.

Rice, who is scheduled to go to trial in the matter on June 9, started the 2025 season by serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy stemming from his role in the crash on March 30, 2024.

He pleaded guilty in district court to two third-degree felony charges — collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. Rice and four of his friends failed to check on the injured parties and fled on foot before police arrived.

Rice was sentenced to five years of deferred probation, and 30 days in jail. He also was required to pay more than $115,000 in restitution to the victims of the crash.

Rice, 25, was driving a rented Lamborghini SUV at speeds up to 119 mph at the time of the accident. Knox was driving a rented Corvette.

A second-round pick by Kansas City out of SMU in 2023, Rice has recorded 156 catches for 1,797 yards and 14 scores in 28 games (20 starts) over his first three NFL seasons.

In January, the court issued default judgments against Knox totaling more than $3.6 million for two other victims in the case. Knox played for two seasons with the Mustangs (2022-23) after one season at Mississippi State.

–Field Level Media

Feb 23, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sea Dragons cornerback Chris Payton-Jones (5) breqks up a pass intended for St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Gary Jennings (12) during the second half at Lumen Field. St. Louis defeated Seattle 20-18. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Ex-NFL, UFL cornerback Chris-Payton Jones dies in crash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL and UFL cornerback Chris Payton-Jones died in a car accident Saturday night in Alachua County, Fla. He was 30.

Payton-Jones was driving a sedan eastbound in the westbound lanes of State Road 24 in Gainesville when it collided head-on with a pickup truck, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, News 4 Jacksonville said. The three people in the truck sustained only minor injuries.

The sedan overturned and burst into flames. Payton-Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, per New 4 Jacksonville.

Payton-Jones, a native of the Jacksonville area, was known as Chris Jones when he played college football at Nebraska from 2014-17. Unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, he went on to appear in 29 regular-season games with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans from 2018-21.

He later moved on to the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL in 2023, and spent the past two seasons with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL.

“Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career,” the UFL said in a statement. “As importantly, Chris was always a bright soul who everyone throughout the league enjoyed spending time with off-the-field.”

Payton-Jones retired in January and made his side business of content creation a full-time job. His video content, primarily sports-related, has more than 1 million views on his YouTube site, Flashflix.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Report: Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. drove in ’24 fatal crash

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Potential 2026 first-round NFL draft pick and former Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. reportedly was involved in a fatal car accident two years ago.

ESPN published details about the incident on Sunday, based on documents obtained from The Read Optional.

According to the report, Bain was cited for careless driving after wrecking his SUV at about 4 a.m. local time on March 17, 2024 on Interstate 95 in Miami.

Two fellow Hurricanes football players, Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly, were in the vehicle along with a woman named Destiny Betts when Bain’s vehicle rear-ended another car and then crashed into multiple concrete barriers, per the crash report.

Betts, 22, spent nearly three months in a coma before dying from her injuries on June 13, 2024, according to The Read Optional.

No field sobriety tests were given after the accident and charges against Bain were dropped prior to Betts’ death.

Betts’ family told The Read Optional that the crash was a “tragic accident” and that they “wish Mr. Bain the best as he continues his life and career.”

Betts helped Miami reach the College Football Playoff championship game as a junior last season, tallying 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and leading the nation with 83 pressures.

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Driver in Khyree Jackson crash death pleads guilty

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The driver who caused a 2024 crash that led to the deaths of Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and his two friends pleaded guilty Friday to three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol.

Cori Clingman, 25, accepted a plea agreement in a Maryland court. She had faced 13 charges.

Her sentencing was set for Feb. 4, and ESPN reported she is expected to be sentenced to a five-year sentence for each count, with all but one year suspended for each. That would result in three one-year terms to be served consecutively.

According to Maryland State Police, Jackson, 24, was the front-seat passenger in a Dodge Charger that was struck by an Infiniti Q50 shortly after 3 a.m. on July 6, 2024, in Prince George’s County.

The Infiniti, driven by Clingman, was attempting to change lanes and traveling at a high rate of speed when the car hit the Charger and then struck a Chevrolet Impala. The impact sent the Charger off the right side of the road, where it came to rest after hitting “multiple tree stumps,” per the report.

Prosecutors alleged she was driving more than 100 mph.

The two other occupants of the Charger — driver Isaiah Hazel, 23, and Anthony Lytton Jr., 24 — had been high school teammates of Jackson and later played in college.

Hazel and Jackson were pronounced dead at the scene, and Lytton was declared deceased at a hospital.

The driver of the Impala was uninjured, and Clingman and her two passengers were not hurt, according to authorities.

Jackson, who was one month away from his 25th birthday at the time of his death, was Minnesota’s fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft and had taken part in Vikings minicamp and OTAs. He played at Oregon in college.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Adarius Hayes (34) reacts against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami LB facing three counts of vehicular homicide

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Hurricanes linebacker Adarius Hayes is facing three counts of vehicular homicide from a May crash in Florida that killed a 78-year-old woman and two children.

Hayes turned himself in to police on Friday in his hometown of Largo, Fla., and was booked into the Pinellas County Jail, according to officials.

The school said the sophomore has been indefinitely suspended from all athletic-related activities.

On May 10, police said Hayes was driving a Dodge Durango nearly 80 mph in a 40-mph zone when the SUV collided with a Kia Soul at an intersection.

Three people in the Kia died from injuries suffered in the collision, including two boys ages four and 10. The children’s father, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, also sustained serious injuries.

According to police, the Kia was making a legal left-hand turn when Hayes’ vehicle “made a rapid and dangerous maneuver” and crashed into the car.

Hayes played in 12 games as a freshman in the 2024 season, primarily on special teams. He had four tackles and one interception. Coming out of Largo High School, he was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2024.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Adarius Hayes (34) reacts against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami LB Adarius Hayes out of hospital after deadly crash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Hurricanes linebacker Adarius Hayes has been released from the hospital following a car accident that left three people dead, the school said Monday.

Hayes was driving a Dodge Durango on Saturday afternoon in Largo, Fla., when the SUV collided with a Kia Soul at an intersection.

Three people in the Kia died in the crash, including two children, and another passenger in that vehicle is in serious condition, according to police.

No criminal charges have been filed and no tickets have been issued, although the accident remains under police investigation. A police spokesperson said there were no signs of impairment with either driver.

“We are deeply saddened to learn the crash resulted in three fatalities, as confirmed by Largo Police, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those lost,” the university said in a statement.

Hayes played in 12 games as a freshman in the 2024 season, primarily on special teams. He had four tackles and one interception. Coming out of Largo High School, he was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2024.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Adarius Hayes (34) reacts against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami LB Adarius Hayes injured in fatal car crash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sophomore Miami linebacker Adarius Hayes was injured in a two-car crash that left two children dead and several others in the hospital.

Police in Largo, Fla., the hometown of Hayes, said the crash occurred at 1:45 p.m. Saturday as a Dodge Durango collided with a Kia Soul that was making a left turn at an intersection.

Killed were 10-year-old Jabari Elijah Solomon and 4-year-old Charlie Herbert Solomon Riveria, according to police.

It was unclear Sunday whether Hayes was a driver or a passenger and which car he was traveling in.

University officials have not commented on the crash or the extent of Hayes’ injuries.

Hayes played in 12 games as a freshman in the 2024 season, primarily on special teams. He had four tackles and one interception.

Coming out of Largo High School, Hayes was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2024.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Abilene Christian Wildcats offensive guard Alan Hatten and offensive tackle Dylan Kinney (61) leave the field after the overtime loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Abilene Christian bus crash leaves 4 injured

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Four people were injured late Saturday when the bus carrying members of the Abilene Christian football team crashed following its game with Texas Tech, the university said Sunday.

The bus had just left the Texas Tech campus in Lubbock, Texas, when the accident occurred around 11:45 p.m. local time.

“Four individuals received minor injuries — one student-athlete, two coaches and the bus driver,” the school said in a statement. “We’re grateful to Texas Tech director of athletics Kirby Hocutt, their team physician Dr. Michael Phy and all of the first responders for their assistance and care.”

All four were taken to University Medical Center in Lubbock.

KTAB in Lubbock reported a 19-year-old driver crashed into the bus after ignoring instructions given by officers directing traffic. The driver, identified as Parker Young, was arrested on a drunk driving charge.

Young was still in custody at the Lubbock County jail as of early Sunday afternoon.

Abilene Christian, an FCS school, lost 52-51 in overtime to the Red Raiders. The Wildcats outscored Texas Tech 17-6 in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 45. After both teams scored a touchdown in overtime, Abilene Christian’s attempt at a two-point conversion that would have given the Wildcats a victory failed.

–Field Level Media

A memorial at the crash site were UGA football player Devin Willock and UGA staffer Chandler LeCroy died in a car crash on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens.

Lawsuit: Georgia staff knew of drinking at events, impermissible cash payments

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An amended court filing in the case of a former Georgia football recruiting analyst seriously injured in a crash a year ago contends staff members frequently drove vehicles rented by the school’s athletic association after drinking.

Additionally, attorneys representing the woman said coaches spent money on recruits during unofficial visits, against NCAA rules.

The bombshell accusations were part of a report Thursday from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which reviewed court papers filed in the case of Victoria “Tory” Bowles, the survivor of an accident that killed a fellow member of the recruiting staff and a Bulldogs football player.

She is suing the Georgia Athletics Association, as well as the estate of Chandler LeCroy, who was killed in the Jan. 15, 2023 crash, and Philadelphia Eagles rookie Jalen Carter. Carter pleaded no contest to racing and reckless driving in March after being linked to the accident. He was sentenced to probation and community service.

LeCroy was driving a rented SUV when the vehicle veered off the road and hit two power poles and several trees.

LeCroy was killed, as was Devin Willock, a Georgia offensive lineman. Toxicology reports showed LeCroy had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.197 percent — nearly 2 1/2 times the Georgia limit — when the SUV she was driving was traveling 104 mph.

“My client’s iPhone survived the crash fully intact and contains thousands of pages of recruiting texts describing the inner workings of UGA’s recruiting activities,” Bowles’ attorney Rob Buck said in a statement to the newspaper. “The new texts included in the Amended Complaint establish that the Association was fully aware recruiting staffers were regularly allowed to drive recruits and their families around Athens after drinking alcohol at Association sponsored events.”

A university official said the school is prepared to fight the allegations.

“We are reviewing the amended complaint, but we dispute its claims and will vigorously defend the Athletic Association’s interests in court,” said Steven Drummond, a Georgia executive associate athletic director, per the newspaper.

The filing includes text messages purportedly from Bowles’ phone that discuss school staff members drinking at football-related events, including one at head coach Kirby Smart’s house, warning them not to consume too much alcohol.

“Hey guys… if you are driving you can have fun at Coach Smarts but if you are driving a recruit make sure you don’t get drunk,” read one text message from 2019, reportedly from a staff member. “It will be a bad look if we have people who are supposed to be driving recruits getting lit.”

Bowles’ amended lawsuit also touches upon what she alleges was a practice of coaches and staff paying for a recruit’s expenses during unofficial visits, which is not permitted.

“Ms. Bowles was aware from her own observations and from prior communications from her superiors of UGA football coaches’ use of cash in recruiting activities involving unofficial visits prior to that evening,” the filing reads, per the Journal-Constitution.

Since filing her initial lawsuit last summer, Bowles was fired from her job. In her case, she is seeking nearly $200,000 for medical bills, lost wages and unspecified damages.

–Field Level Media