LAS VEGAS -- Henry Ruggs III's lawyers wrote in a court filing, that a witness claimed that firefighters took too long to extinguish the vehicle fire that was sparked by a fatal crash. Authorities claim that it was caused by former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver.
Ruggs, 22, was accused of driving drunk at speeds exceeding 156 mph together with his girlfriend in Corvette sports cars before the predawn accident Nov. 2. He was released by the team hours after the accident.
Tina Tintor (23), was laid to rest Thursday at a Serbian Orthodox Church. She will be followed by a private burial in a Las Vegas cemetery.
Defense attorneys Richard Schonfeld and David Chesnoff stated that "Firemen didn't attempt to extinguish Ms. Tintor’s fire for approximately twenty minutes, at which point the entire vehicle was consumed in flames." They did not name their witness in a Wednesday court filing.
They seek a court order for Clark County Fire Department records regarding the fire and crash. A court hearing was set for Nov. 17.
Erik Pappa, a county spokesperson, stated in a statement that there were no delays in responding to the fire or in attacking it.
The statement stated that "the captain on the scene reported the vehicle was completely involved in fire upon arrival, and the passenger compartment was unsurvivable for anyone within."
Tintor family members didn't plan to make public comments regarding her memorials, stated Sarah Thornton, spokesperson for Farhan Naqvi, a family attorney.
Tintor, a Serbian immigrant, arrived in the U.S. as a youngster. She graduated from a Las Vegas highschool and then worked at Target. Tintor was close to getting her U.S. citizenship, a friend said last week. Her dog Max also perished in the fire and crash.
Schonfeld and Chesnoff declined to comment on Wednesday's request for records from the fire department. Chesnoff described the effort as part of their crash investigation. According to the witness, he was nearby when he heard about the crash and went looking.
According to court filings, firefighters were "in a position" to extinguish the vehicle's fire when it was still in its early stages but failed to do so.
Ruggs already faces felony DUI resulting death and reckless driving. On Wednesday, Ruggs was also charged with additional reckless driving and felony DUI charges. Ruggs could face additional prison time if convicted of the additional charges.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson stated Wednesday that the evidence supports a second felony DUI conviction. We believe Mr. Ruggs' girlfriend, Kiara Je'nai Kilgo Washington, was substantially hurt. Under Nevada law, if one is seriously injured as a result the defendant's actions in a DUI collision, we can file a second case."
If convicted, the former first-round NFL draft selection faces at most two years in mandatory prison. Wolfson stated that Ruggs could spend more than 50 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Ruggs posted $150,000 bail, and is currently under house arrest. While the case progresses, strict conditions include four-times daily alcohol tests.
According to records, he has a $1.1million home near the scene of the crash.
This report was contributed by ESPN's Paul Gutierrez, and The Associated Press.
