Businesses Settled Lawsuit Over Detective Death
Two firms reached agreements regarding the 2022 death of a Las Vegas detective killed by a falling beam.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Law Enforcement
D.H. Charles Engineering and Western States Contracting settled a civil lawsuit following the June 2022 death of Detective Justin Terry. Terry, a 20-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, died when a 7,000-pound metal beam fell onto his car.
Why it matters
The settlements address liability for a fatal construction site accident on U.S. 95 that resulted in the loss of a long-serving officer. Legal proceedings continue as the family seeks accountability for the circumstances surrounding the equipment failure.
D.H. Charles Engineering agreed to pay over $4.5 million to settle claims involving the 7,000-pound beam. A separate civil trial against the remaining defendant, Las Vegas Paving Corp, is currently scheduled for October 2026.
The players
Justin Terry
He was a 45-year-old detective and a 20-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
D.H. Charles Engineering
This firm was a named defendant in the civil lawsuit regarding the highway construction accident.
Western States Contracting
This company reached a partial settlement agreement with the family of the deceased officer.
Las Vegas Paving Corp
This entity remains a defendant in the ongoing civil litigation scheduled for trial in 2026.
The details
The fatal incident occurred when a backhoe loader on a tractor-trailer struck a beam, which then crushed the detective’s 2016 Ford Taurus. The civil complaint filed by the family alleges the truck's load exceeded legal height requirements while operating on U.S. 95 near the 215 Beltway.
Timeline
Justin Terry was killed in June 2022 during the beam incident.
Settlement documents for D.H. Charles Engineering were filed on September 14, 2026.
A civil trial for the remaining defendant is set for October 2026.
Legal Context
This litigation follows a pattern set by previous safety concerns at the Centennial Bowl project. The case highlights the complex liability environment surrounding large-scale highway infrastructure projects in Nevada.
The resolution of this case provides clarity on the legal accountability for construction accidents impacting public highways. Residents can expect continued monitoring of safety protocols for ongoing road projects in the area.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects involve significant risks that often result in prolonged multi-party civil litigation after accidents. Families of victims in such cases must often navigate complex, years-long settlement processes to secure compensation from various contractors.
Further reading
For more information on legal actions in the region, visit the Law Enforcement section.
