Sione Nusi, a 49-year-old resident of Irving, pleaded guilty to three counts of Intoxication Manslaughter, as announced by the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office. Nusi received the maximum sentence of 20 years on each count.
The incident occurred on August 31, 2020, when Nusi, driving intoxicated, was traveling the wrong way on Loop 820 in Haltom City. His vehicle collided head-on with another, resulting in the tragic deaths of a Mesquite family of three.
The crash happened around 8:35 p.m. on the eastbound side of Interstate Loop 820 near U.S. Route 377. Nusi, driving a blue Chevrolet pickup truck, crashed into a grey BMW. Upon arrival, officers found the BMW beginning to catch fire. They managed to remove the driver and a young girl from the vehicle, but were unable to save a third passenger. Despite efforts from medical services, all three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Nusi sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. While hospitalized, blood tests confirmed his intoxication. After recuperating and being released from the hospital, he was taken into custody.
The victims were identified as 35-year-old Favian Chavez Garcia, 33-year-old Mayra Pallares, and 9-year-old Sofia Garcia. Nusi later admitted to consuming beer and kava, a plant extract with sedative effects.
The Haltom City Police Department conducted the investigation.
