A Texas soldier’s alleged drunk driving left an engaged couple dead in a horrific car crash.
Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer, 23, told police he had drunk “a lot” of alcohol at a gender reveal party before the fatal collision that killed Dalia Olivas, 28, and her fiancé, Rick Ballard. , 29.
The couple was driving in east El Paso when Del Valle Ferrer crashed his Honda HR-V into their Mercedes, causing their car to spin out of control and crash into a pole Saturday night at 11:37 p.m.
Ballard was ejected from the car, but his right leg was severed and he was still inside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Olivas died after she was taken to the hospital.
Dalia Olivas, 28, and her fiancé, Rick Ballard, 29, were killed by a drunk driver Saturday night.
Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer, 23, was driving home drunk from a gender reveal party when he crashed into the couple.
Del Valle Ferrer’s condition is unknown, but the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said everyone involved suffered “serious injuries.”
When police arrived at the bloody scene, they noticed that the Army member smelled of alcohol and saw that he was still wearing a blue bracelet from the party, according to the affidavit obtained by KFOX14.
Officials at the Fort Bliss military base identified Del Valle Ferrer as one of their own on Wednesday.
“Fort Bliss leaders are deeply saddened by this tragedy and its impact on the El Paso community,” Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those involved in the accident.”
Diana Villalobos, Olivas’s sister, wrote in a GoFundMe page: ‘Dalia was taken from us in a devastating accident at the intersection of Rojas and Eastlake. She was full of life and had a heart of gold that touched everyone around her.’
Olivas and Ballard planned to marry and begin their life together in Florida. ABC7 reported.
Ballard and Olivas were engaged and planned to start their life together in Florida.
Olivas was a high school English teacher and recently left her position due to her plans to marry and move in with Ballard.
The bride-to-be was a high school English teacher who recently left her position due to moving plans.
Ballard had already moved to Florida, according to a GoFundMe Page organized by her sister, Vivian McCandless.
He grew up in El Paso and returned to visit Olivas and his other loved ones when he died.
After graduating high school, Ballard joined the Navy and traveled the world. McCandless wrote that he was “working hard to build a life for himself.”
The GoFundMe pages have raised more than $15,000 each.
Del Valle Ferrer has been charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and will be arrested after he is released from the hospital.
Police arrived at the scene of the harrowing accident, in which Ballard’s leg was severed.
Ballard had moved to Florida, but returned to El Paso to visit Olivas the day they were killed.
After the senseless deaths, Taylor said the Fort Bliss Army post is “committed to a robust driver’s education program focused on responsible driving habits that begins the first week Soldiers arrive at Fort Bliss.”
He added: ‘We will continue frequent safety checks throughout the facility to encourage safe driving practices and promote ride-sharing opportunities.
“We remain engaged with community leaders and local authorities to improve the safety of the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities.”
