Early Sunday morning in San Jose, California, a troubling scene unfolded when a car smashed into a local post office and burst into flames.
The incident became even more startling when police identified the driver as Richard Tillman—the brother of the late NFL star and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
Richard Tillman Arrested After Fiery Crash
According to local reports, Richard Tillman was taken into custody following the crash and is currently being held without bail at Santa Clara County Jail.
At this point, the exact charges have not been made public.
However, NBC Bay Area has reported that Richard allegedly live-streamed the moment he drove his vehicle into the post office.
The crash occurred around 3 a.m. on Crown Boulevard.
By the time officers arrived, the car was already engulfed in flames.
The fire spread rapidly, causing further damage to the building, though thankfully, no injuries were reported.
A Tragic Legacy Still Echoing
Richard’s name may be less known, but his brother Pat Tillman remains an iconic figure in American military and sports history.
Pat left behind a promising NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to enlist in the Army following the 9/11 attacks.
He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and was tragically killed in April 2004, not by enemy fire as first reported, but by friendly fire near the border with Pakistan.
The Truth Behind Pat Tillman’s Death
The initial story put out by the military suggested Pat was killed during an ambush.
However, a later investigation revealed that miscommunication during a split platoon operation had led to soldiers mistakenly firing on Tillman’s position.
The 2007 Criminal Investigation Command report confirmed that while Tillman and part of his unit had moved into a better position to support their comrades, they were misidentified as enemies by the other half of the platoon.
Despite signaling they were friendly, gunfire was opened, fatally hitting Tillman and wounding others.
A Brother Who Never Held Back
Richard Tillman made headlines of his own during Pat’s memorial service.
In a moment that stunned many, Richard made it clear his brother wasn’t religious and rejected any attempts to frame his death in spiritual terms.
“He’s not with God,” he said bluntly at the funeral.
“He’s fing dead… Thanks for your thoughts, but he’s fin’ dead.”
Life After Loss: Comedy, Acting, and Writing
In the years since Pat’s death, Richard has built a life for himself in the entertainment world.
He’s a standup comedian based in California and has appeared in films, including the 2008 remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still.
He’s also ventured into writing, having authored a number of children’s books.
What Comes Next?
Right now, there are still more questions than answers about what led up to Richard’s early-morning crash.
The fact that he reportedly live-streamed the entire event raises major concerns about his state of mind.
As authorities continue to investigate, the Tillman family’s story takes yet another dramatic—and heartbreaking—turn.