Sports fans across the U.S. were appalled by news in November 2021 that Las Vegas Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs III drove drunk and crashed into a car going 156 mph, killing a woman and her dog. What sports fans may not know is that one of Christian Pulisic’s former teammates committed a similar crime. Did Marcos Alonso kill someone? Let’s compare the Ruggs and Alonso situations.
Ruggs Car Crash
Former Raiders receiver Ruggs was arrested on Tuesday after being involved in a fatal crash. The 22-year-old was driving at 156 mph and slowed to 127 mph when he crashed into a Toyota Rav4. The car Ruggs hit burst into flames, killing a 23-year-old woman and her dog.
The speed limit on the road Ruggs was driving was 45 mph. He was going 111 mph over the speed limit.
His blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.161 which is over twice the legal limit in Nevada.
The Raiders quickly released Ruggs. He was charged with DUI resulting in death that could have been worth up to 20 years in prison, along with a reckless driving charge which carries a maximum sentence of six years.
The Las Vegas Raiders have released WR Henry Ruggs III.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 3, 2021
His future holds several years in prison and he will never step foot on a football field as a professional player again.
Overview
Charges: DUI resulting in death, misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter
Victims: 23-year-old woman and her dog
Prison Time: Sentenced to three to 10 years in prison.
Repercussions: Three to 10 years in prison with the possibility of parole after three years.
Marcos Alonso Crash
In 2011 Marcos Alonso was arrested for drunk driving in Madrid. The Spaniard crashed his car into a wall that killed one of his passengers, a 22-year-old woman, and injured three others in the car.
Alonso’s BAC was 0.93 (per liter), which was nearly twice the legal limit in Madrid. It was reported that he was driving 70 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Despite the incident he was still allowed to play professional ball while waiting for his sentence, which wouldn’t come until 2016. He was initially charged with DUI resulting in death and injury from reckless driving. The charges would have seen him spend four years in prison.
The charges were later reduced to 21 months in prison and then dropped all together for a fine and driving ban which he had already served by the time of 2016. A newspaper in Madrid reported that Alonso paid €500,000 to the victim’s family, which helped his punishment be reduced.
Today Alonso is making millions and playing for one of the best clubs in the world.
Overview
Charges: DUI Resulting in Death, Reckless Driving
Victims: 22-year-old woman
Prison Time: None
Repercussions: A fine and temporary driving ban
