A Dallas man will spend 15 years behind bars after driving nearly 40 miles with the body of a pedestrian he struck while intoxicated — a case that prosecutors called “a stark reminder” of drunk driving’s devastating consequences.
Nestor Joel Lujan Flores, 31, pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and collision involving death in connection with the December 2023 incident that claimed the life of 45-year-old Terry Ivory. The sentence, handed down recently, falls just shy of the 20-year maximum he could have faced, according to court documents obtained by local media.
What makes this case particularly disturbing? Authorities say Flores struck Ivory in a West Dallas crosswalk on the Interstate 30 service road near Cockrell Hill Road while driving under the influence. The impact was so severe that Ivory was thrown through the windshield — but instead of stopping to render aid, Flores continued driving.
Investigators later discovered Flores passed out in his vehicle at a Jack in the Box parking lot in White Settlement, roughly 40 miles from the initial crash site. Ivory’s body was found in the front passenger seat of the car.
History of Impaired Driving
This wasn’t Flores’ first brush with drunk driving offenses. Court records show he had a previous DWI conviction from 2020. Even more troubling, his blood alcohol level remained elevated when tested the following morning, though it had fallen below the legal limit by that time, prosecutors said.
Under the terms of his sentence, Flores must serve at least half of his 15-year prison term before becoming eligible for parole consideration — meaning he’ll spend a minimum of 7.5 years incarcerated.
Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot addressed the sentencing in a written statement, saying, “This case is 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.”
The case has drawn significant attention not only for its tragic outcome but for the disturbing details surrounding Flores’ actions after the collision. Rather than stopping at the scene as required by law, he continued driving for nearly an hour with Ivory’s body in his car.
Advocacy groups against drunk driving have long pushed for stricter penalties in such cases. In Texas, intoxication manslaughter is classified as a second-degree felony, carrying sentences between 2 and 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
For Ivory’s family, no sentence can undo their loss. But prosecutors hope the substantial prison term sends a clear message about the consequences of getting behind the wheel while impaired — a decision that forever altered two families’ lives in a single, tragic moment.
