Family Settles Wrongful Death Suit in Officer Death
The lawsuit follows a 2022 freeway accident that resulted in the death of a Las Vegas police detective.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Law Enforcement
The family of Justin Terry has reached a settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit against Western States Contracting and Las Vegas Paving. The agreement was finalized during jury selection in a Clark County courtroom.
Why it matters
The settlement concludes litigation stemming from a fatal construction zone accident that claimed the life of a veteran law enforcement officer. The family had alleged that the construction companies were liable for the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The civil lawsuit was resolved during the jury selection process in Clark County court. The litigation involved allegations of liability against the general contractor and the employer of the truck driver.
The players
Justin Terry
He was a 45-year-old detective who served for under 21 years with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in the Homicide Sex Crimes Bureau.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
This is the primary law enforcement agency for the Las Vegas area that employed the victim.
Western States Contracting
The company employed the driver of the construction truck involved in the freeway accident.
Las Vegas Paving
The firm served as the general contractor for the Centennial Bowl project where the incident occurred.
The details
Justin Terry, a 45-year-old detective with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, was killed when an overloaded construction truck hit an early warning beam on U.S. 95 at the Centennial Bowl. The impact caused the heavy beam to collapse onto Terry’s vehicle while he was on the freeway.
Timeline
The fatal freeway accident occurred in 2022.
Jury selection for the civil trial took place on October 19, 2026.
Legal Context
This settlement reflects the resolution of high-profile liability litigation involving major infrastructure projects in Las Vegas. Similar civil proceedings frequently arise when industrial accidents result in fatalities on public roadways.
The resolution of this case settles the civil proceedings related to the 2022 accident on U.S. 95. Residents and commuters who frequent the Centennial Bowl area may note that the litigation regarding the project's safety protocols has now concluded.
The takeaway
The settlement brings an end to the family's long-running civil action against the involved contractors. It serves as a reminder of the significant legal liabilities that follow industrial accidents occurring in busy public construction zones.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the region, visit Law Enforcement.
