At a Glance
- Nestor Joel Lujan Flores received a 15-year sentence for driving with a victim’s body.
- The fatal crash occurred on Dec. 16, 2023 on I-30 near Cockrell Hill Road.
- The victim’s body was found in the front seat of Flores’ vehicle during a welfare check in White Settlement.
Why it matters: The case highlights the severe consequences of impaired driving and the legal accountability for leaving a deceased pedestrian in a vehicle.
The fatal collision that ended the life of 45-year-old Terry Ivory unfolded on the evening of Dec. 16, 2023 in west Dallas. A 31-year-old driver, Nestor Joel Lujan Flores, was later found to have struck the pedestrian on the westbound service road of Interstate 30 near Cockrell Hill Road. The impact was so forceful that Ivory was thrown into Flores’ vehicle, and parts of his remains were recovered at the crash scene.
Crash and Victim
Police reports confirm that the collision happened after the vehicle’s front end was heavily damaged. Portions of Ivory’s body were later found at the crash site, indicating the severity of the impact. The victim was identified by local news outlets-Fox 4, WFAA, and NBC 5-as Terry Ivory, a 45-year-old resident of the area.
Aftermath and Investigation
Despite the extensive damage, Flores continued driving westward toward White Settlement. Surveillance footage from the area shows him pulling into a Jack in the Box parking lot shortly after 9 p.m. He remained in the vehicle for more than two hours before authorities arrived.
At approximately 11:15 p.m., White Settlement police were called after a customer reported a damaged vehicle and an unresponsive driver. Officers discovered Ivory’s body in the front passenger seat. Flores had not reported the crash, and his statements to police indicated he believed he had hit an animal.
A blood draw conducted the following morning revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.093. Flores also had a prior DWI conviction, as noted by the district attorney’s office.
Sentencing
Flores pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and collision involving death. On Jan. 6, 2026, Judge Dominique Collins of Criminal District Court No. 4 sentenced him to 15 years on both charges, to run concurrently. The court also entered a deadly weapon finding in the intoxication manslaughter case, meaning Flores must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office released a statement describing the case as a stark reminder of the devastation caused by impaired driving. “The victim lost his life, and a family was forever changed. This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions and holds him accountable for the harm he caused,” said District Attorney John Creuzot.
Statements
Ivory’s sister, Nikitria Beasley, told FOX 4, “He didn’t just leave. He was taken.” Her statement underscores the emotional toll on the victim’s family.
Flores’ own explanation to police-believing he had hit an animal-was contradicted by the evidence collected at the scene, including the vehicle’s damage and the presence of a human body inside the car.
Key Takeaways
- Fatal collision on Dec. 16, 2023 involving a pedestrian and a driver who continued driving.
- Victim’s body discovered in the front seat during a welfare check in White Settlement.
- Driver’s blood alcohol level was 0.093; prior DWI conviction.
- 15-year sentence on both intoxication manslaughter and collision involving death.
- The case serves as a reminder of the legal and personal consequences of impaired driving.
The sentencing marks a significant moment in Dallas County’s ongoing efforts to address impaired driving incidents. The case illustrates the importance of immediate reporting and the severe penalties that can follow when a driver fails to act responsibly after a fatal crash.
