Man arrested after police find him unconscious in parking lot with deceased hit-and-run victim in car

Nestor Joel Lujan Flores, a 31-year-old resident of Arlington, has been taken into custody by the White Settlement Police Department and booked into the Dallas County Jail on a charge of collision involving death. The arrest occurred on Tuesday, December 19, at 10 a.m., according to official records. This shocking incident unfolded on Saturday night when White Settlement police discovered Lujan Flores in a vehicle with a deceased individual, whom they suspect was the victim of a hit-and-run in Dallas earlier that evening. The graphic nature of this case necessitates a warning to readers.

The events leading up to Lujan Flores’ arrest began when officers responded to a welfare check call at a Jack in the Box parking lot in White Settlement. The call, received at 11:13 p.m., described a driver slumped over the steering wheel of a Kia Forte with significant damage to the front-end, hood, and windshield. During their search for the vehicle, officers made a gruesome discovery: two human legs in separate locations near the accident site.

The caller from Jack in the Box informed the police that a man, covered in blood, had entered the restaurant asking for a phone charger. Upon arriving at the scene, an officer found the vehicle and observed a deceased body in the front passenger seat, positioned upside down with its head resting on the floorboard. Both legs were missing below the knees. White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook described the chilling moment when the officer’s flashlight illuminated the presence of the body in the car.

Lujan Flores was then asked to exit the vehicle for questioning, and a subsequent blood search warrant highlighted concerning physical indicators. According to the warrant, Lujan Flores displayed slurred, thick-tongued speech, red and watery eyes with drooping eyelids, and exhibited unbalanced, swaying movements while being questioned. Moreover, the arresting officer noted a strong smell of alcohol emanating from the back seat of the patrol car after Lujan Flores was placed inside.

Medical professionals arrived at the scene and confirmed the passenger’s demise. The victim has been identified as 45-year-old Terry Ivory, according to both the arrest affidavit and the medical examiner. Ivory’s sister revealed that he was experiencing homelessness at the time of his tragic death and that his siblings were his only family.

Lujan Flores claimed to authorities that he believed he had hit a deer in Dallas before driving approximately 40 miles to the White Settlement parking lot without alerting any emergency responders. Police investigators surmised that the victim in the passenger seat was a pedestrian struck by the vehicle. The impact of the crash was so severe that the pedestrian was thrown inside the car and ultimately came to rest in the passenger seat. Chief Cook expressed his disappointment, stating that Lujan Flores failed to recognize the victim as a human being and neglected to stop, offer aid, or call for help.

Efforts are now underway to determine the exact location of the crash. White Settlement police contacted officials in other cities, and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office reported a crash on the westbound I-30 service road near Cockrell Hill Road. Human remains were discovered near the scene, leading investigators to believe that the two incidents are connected. The arrest affidavit revealed that the blood patterns on the roadway in Dallas suggest that the Kia was traveling westbound on the I-30 service road when it collided with the victim who was crossing the road. Consequently, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office has assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Lujan Flores was arrested that night on charges of intoxication manslaughter and potentially failure to stop and render aid. He was transferred to the Dallas County Jail and booked on Tuesday, December 19, at 10 a.m., where he remains in custody on a bond of $500,000. Jail records also indicate that Lujan Flores is subject to an ICE hold, although further details regarding this matter are yet to be disclosed.

Chief Cook expressed his frustration and emphasized the preventability of such incidents. He implored individuals to make responsible choices and highlighted the availability of rideshare services and alternative transportation options. This case has deeply affected the law enforcement teams involved, as the circumstances surrounding it are highly unusual. Chief Cook noted that Lujan Flores appeared disoriented and unaware of his whereabouts when apprehended.

Further investigation revealed that Lujan Flores had previously been arrested for driving while intoxicated in Plano in 2020. At that time, his blood alcohol level was found to be .14, nearly double the legal limit. In light of this tragic event, Tarrant County law enforcement officials issued a reminder that they intensify DWI patrols leading up to the December holidays as part of their commitment to ensuring public safety.

As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from impaired driving. The loss of Terry Ivory’s life underscores the importance of responsible decision-making on the roads and the need to prioritize the safety of oneself and others.