Henry Ruggs was driving his personal 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray on the night of November 2, 2021, when he was involved in a fatal high-speed crash in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Corvette, a high-performance sports car, was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed—estimated by police to be 156 mph (251 km/h) just before impact—in a zone with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. The collision with a Toyota RAV4 resulted in a tragic fire that claimed a life. The specific model details are significant because the Corvette's performance capabilities are a central element in the legal proceedings, which led to Ruggs pleading guilty to DUI resulting in death and being sentenced to a prison term of 3-10 years.
The 2021 Corvette Stingray represented a major redesign for Chevrolet, famously switching to a mid-engine layout for the first time. This configuration enhances handling and acceleration but also contributes to the car's potential for very high speeds. The car is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine, known as the LT2, which produces 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain allows for staggering acceleration, capable of reaching 0-60 mph in under 3.0 seconds.
The combination of Ruggs' impaired state (his blood alcohol concentration was reported to be more than twice the legal limit) and the Corvette's immense power created a catastrophic situation. The legal focus wasn't on the car itself, but on the driver's reckless operation of it. The case serves as a stark reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with driving any vehicle, especially one with such high-performance potential. The details of the car, corroborated by police evidence and official reports, formed a key part of the factual basis for the charges.
| Specification | 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | Details Relevant to the Incident |
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| Model Year & Name | 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | Vehicle identified at the scene |
| Engine | 6.2L LT2 V8 | High-power engine capable of extreme speeds |
| Horsepower | 490 hp | Provided the power for the alleged 156 mph speed |
| 0-60 mph Time | 2.9 seconds | Illustrates the car's rapid acceleration capability |
| Top Speed | 194 mph | Context for the vehicle's high-speed potential |
| Drivetrain | Mid-engine, Rear-wheel drive | Affects handling characteristics at high speeds |
| Police Estimated Speed | 156 mph (251 km/h) | Speed at which the vehicle was traveling before braking |
| Posted Speed Limit | 45 mph | The legal speed limit of the road where the crash occurred |
