John Jefferson
Background: YouTube/KVIA. Inset: Dalia Olivas and Rick Ballard (GoFundMe).
A U.S. Army soldier in Texas has been charged for a crash that killed an engaged couple, with cops alleging he got drunk at a gender reveal and then tried to drive — while still wearing a baby blue wristband from the party and reeking of alcohol, according to his arrest affidavit.
Dalia Olivas, 28, and her fiance, Rick Ballard, 29, were driving in El Paso on Nov. 2 when the crash unfolded around 11:37 p.m., according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
The couple, along with suspect Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer — who was allegedly wearing the baby blue wristband from the gender reveal when cops made contact with him at the scene — was driving near the intersection of Rojas and Eastlake in the West Texas city when Del Valle Ferrer slammed into them with his Honda HR-V, causing Olivas and Ballard’s Mercedes to spin and crash into a light pole, per the sheriff’s office.
Del Valle Ferrer’s arrest affidavit, which was first obtained and reported by the local Fox affiliate KFOX, outlines how Ballard died at the scene after being ejected from the Mercedes, causing his right leg to be severed and stuck inside the car. Olivas died at a local hospital.
Del Valle Ferrer was identified by Fort Bliss officials on Wednesday as a 23-year-old Army soldier who is assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
“The Fort Bliss leadership is deeply saddened by this tragedy and its impact on the El Paso community,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, in a statement to KFOX. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those involved in the accident.”
According to his affidavit, Del Valle Ferrer told police that he had consumed “a lot” of alcohol at the gender reveal party before the accident. Deputies at the scene reported smelling booze on him and his blue wristband from the party.
Taylor told KFOX that soldiers are put through extensive training and driving programs to avoid situations like this, but sometimes people fall through the cracks.
“We remain committed to a robust driver education program focused on responsible driving habits that begins the first week Soldiers arrive to Fort Bliss,” Taylor explained. “We will continue frequent safety checks across the installation to encourage safe driving practices and promote ridesharing opportunities. We remain engaged with community leaders and local law enforcement to improve the safety of the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities.”
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A GoFundMe set up by Olivas’ family blasts her and Ballard’s death as the result of “reckless actions of a drunk driver,” saying: “Dalia was taken from us in a devastating accident. She was full of life and had a heart of gold, touching everyone around her.”
A fundraiser has also been set up by Ballard’s family.
Del Valle Ferrer was booked at the El Paso County Jail on intoxication manslaughter charges and a $520,000 bond. It’s unclear when he’s due in court.
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