Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) speaks with reporters during Raiders Training Camp at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 | 9:03 p.m.
Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette is being sued for his involvement in a hit-and-run crash in 2020 near the franchise’s practice facility in Henderson, according to a civil court complaint obtained by the Las Vegas Sun.
Arnette was issued two citations for his involvement in a crash on Oct. 14, 2020, while on his way to a team meeting, according to a Henderson Police incident report. Lawyers representing Yaneth Casique, whose vehicle Arnette struck, are seeking $92,091.23 for medical bills and “general damages of pain and suffering,” according to the complaint filed Oct. 12. Both the Raiders and Arnette were named defendants in the suit.
Henderson Police were dispatched to a crash near the corner of St. Rose Parkway and Bermuda Drive, near the team’s practice facility at about 7:30 a.m., according to the incident report. Upon arrival, police found a white Toyota Corolla belonging to Casique and a silver Ford Explorer with damage to its front left side.
Police found a man inside the vehicle who was identified as Jonathon Washington.
Washington stated that he was driving east on St. Rose on his way to Raiders headquarters, but took a wrong turn onto Bermuda and crashed into Casique’s Toyota.
But police said in the incident report that damage to the Ford was not consistent with skid marks at the scene.
Officers were then approached by the victim’s son, who was called to assist his mother. He said he witnessed a man later identified as Arnette who was in the driver’s seat leave the scene in another vehicle and switch places with Washington, according to the report.
Shortly after, the driver of the vehicle that Arnette was seen leaving in, returned to the scene and explained to police that he took Arnette to the team’s facility for a meeting Arnette worried he would be late to.
A few hours later, police showed up at Raiders headquarters to interview Arnette. That’s when he admitted he was the driver of the Ford, according to the incident report.
Arnette said he was traveling on St. Rose and approached what he thought was Raiders Way, and he made a quick lane change into the right-most lane to attempt a quick turn on to what was actually Bermuda. Arnette said he was traveling at about 65 mph, and his wheels skidded and the vehicle would not turn, causing him to hit Casique.
Arnette said he made contact with Casique and asked if she needed help. Because he was running late, however, he had a friend pick him up and take him to the Raiders facility. He said he instructed Washington to provide Arnette’s information to officers, thinking that would suffice.
Police noted in the report that Washington did not provide that information and claimed he was the driver of the Ford.
Because of Arnette’s statements to police, he was cited for failure to maintain a travel lane and failure to stop at the scene of an accident, according to the report.
Bruce Tingey, the attorney representing Casique, alleges she was transported to the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center and has “continued with treatment with multiple medical providers (including orthopedic, pain management and neurologist)” for injuries sustained in the crash, according to the complaint.
During the crash, Casique struck her head on her car’s side window, causing her to lose consciousness, “which developed into headaches, balance impairment, memory loss (and) loss of concentration,” according to the complaint.
She also sustained injuries to her left shoulder, neck and back, and “debilitating” arm pain. She also developed “anxiety with depression and panic attacks that required treatment, medication and other emergency room evaluation at a hospital.”
Because of those damages, Casuque is seeking more than $15,000 in damages, medical expenses, loss of income, property damage, attorneys and court fees and “any further relief which the court may deem just and proper in the premises,” according to the complaint.
Attempts to reach Arnette's representation weren't immediately successful.
The lawsuit involving Arnette comes to light days after former teammate Henry Ruggs III allegedly drove 156 mph in a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette before striking a 2013 Toyota Rav4, causing the Rav4’s fuel tank to catch fire and killing Tina Tinto, 23, of Las Vegas.
Prosecutors say Ruggs had a blood-alcohol content of .161, more than twice the legal limit for Nevada drivers.
Ruggs was arrested after the crash Tuesday for DUI resulting in death and reckless driving. Prosecutors on Friday filed three additional charges — additional counts of DUI and reckless driving and possession of a gun while under the influence — for injuries sustained to Ruggs’ girlfriend, Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, 22, of Las Vegas, who was in the car with him. Police also found a loaded handgun on the driver’s side floorboard, according to his arrest report.
If convicted, Ruggs could face a maximum sentence of 52 years. He’s due back in Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday.
