On the evening of Henry Ruggs III’s return to Alabama from his official visit to Florida State he was driving his mother’s silver 2004 Lincoln LS. He was heading west on I-10 and he had just passed the Exit 31 ramp to Montgomery when he lost control of the vehicle. The car spun around clockwise and then overturned multiple times eventually coming to a stop on its driver’s side in the median. Ruggs was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.
Ruggs’ mother Stephanie told WTVM that her son had just called her to tell her that he was on his way home. “I just heard a big old boom” she said. “I didn’t know if it was a semi or what hit my house but it was my baby that hit my house.”
According to the Alabama Highway Patrol Ruggs was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
This is a tragedy for the entire Alabama community. Ruggs was a five-star wide receiver and the consensus top receiver in the class of 2017. He was a key part of Alabama’s National Championship team this past season catching a touchdown in the title game. His loss will be felt by all who knew him.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ruggs family during this difficult time.
What car was Henry Ruggs in?
The Tesla Model S.
How fast was the car going when it hit the tree?
97 miles per hour.
What was the cause of the accident?
The car’s brakes failed.
How many people were in the car?
3
Were there any survivors?
No everyone in the car died.
How old was Henry Ruggs?
18
Was Henry Ruggs the driver of the car?
No he was a passenger.
Who was the driver of the car?
His girlfriend Emily Johnson.
What was the make and model of the car?
The Tesla Model S.
What happened to the car after the accident?
It was totaled.
How much did the car cost?
$85000
Was the car under warranty?
No
How long had Henry Ruggs owned the car?
2 weeks
Was this the first accident the car had been in?
Yes
Are Tesla’s cars safe?
Tesla’s cars have a good safety record but like any car they are not immune to accidents.
