LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — New surveillance footage shows the intense speed a car believed to be that of Henry Ruggs III was driving just moments before the deadly crash that took the life of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog.
A memorial is growing for Tintor near the scene of the crash as those who tried to help save her from her burning car are trying to heal from those traumatic moments.
Strangers tried their best to rescue Tintor before her vehicle burst into flames, videos show.
The surveillance video footage, exclusive to 8 News Now and obtained by reporter Victoria Saha, is from the Vizcaya Apartments near the scene of the crash and shows what a vehicle traveling 156 miles per hour looks like.
In the video, you can see just how fast the car suspected to be that of Henry Ruggs III was going, and based on the speed of the other cars around that vehicle, it sped and passed them “like lightning.”
Police reports said, Alexander Hart, a security officer who was working at the complex that night, saw Ruggs’ car drive by the complex.
The report goes on to say, moments later, Hart said he heard the crash and got in his security car, and headed in that direction.
Hart told police that as soon as he got to the scene he noticed Ruggs laying on the road. He then heard screams coming from Tintor’s Toyota Rav 4 vehicle, according to the police report.
Hart says he jumped right into action to pull Tintor out of her Rav 4 as it burst into flames. The smoke and heat from the flames were too intense for Hart to get any closer, according to the report.
The security company says Hart is declining on-camera interviews because he “suffered something very traumatic,” and is angered by the details of the crash.
According to the report, there was another witness, Tony Rodriguez, who also happened to be driving by the scene of the crash. He told police he stopped and grabbed Tintor to try and pull her out of her vehicle, but said that she was stuck.
Rodriguez was also overcome by the smoke and heat from the fire and had to back away.
When fire officials responded, they found Tintor and her dog dead.
Ruggs is facing charges of DUI resulting in death and reckless driving resulting in death.
The district attorney said Ruggs could face more charges related to his girlfriend’s injuries and a gun that was found in the car.
At the scene of Tintor’s memorial, people stopped by to pay their respects, and many expressed anger saying this tragedy could have been prevented.
Northstar Defense Corporation released the following statement to 8 News Now.
From all of us at Northstar Defense Corporation we want to first express our sincere condolences to the family of Tina Tintor and the tragedy that occurred November 2nd, 2021. On November 2nd, 2021, at approximately 03:39AM Deputy Chief Alex Hart was on duty and conducting patrol operations at a client’s property when he observed a Chevrolet Corvette traveling Northbound on S. Rainbow Blvd at a high rate of speed, approximately eight to ten seconds later Deputy Chief Hart heard a vehicle trying to stop as tires were screeching, followed by a loud collision. Deputy Chief Hart immediately went to locate the source of the sound to see if he could render aid. At approximately 03:40AM Northstar Defense Corporations dispatch received radio traffic from Deputy Chief Hart reporting a motor vehicle accident with injuries on fire, and requested police, fire, and medical to his location. Northstar Defense Corporation dispatch immediately called 9-11 to report and request police, fire, and medical aid. Deputy Chief Hart attempted to get the victim out of the vehicle but was unable to due to rapidly accelerating fire and smoke. Deputy Chief Hart then went to check on the occupants of the other vehicle and assisted them until police, fire, and medical could arrive. We are not surprised by the actions of Deputy Chief Hart. Deputy Chief Hart is a former law enforcement officer and helping others is just the type of man he is. Although we are deeply saddened by this tragedy, I have spoken to Deputy Chief Hart in depth, and he does not wish to interview or recount the facts and circumstances regarding this sad loss of life to the media and he has authorized me to make this statement on his behalf and for our company.
Eli Hill, President/Chief Northstar Defense Corporation NV
