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 drank “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 rammed his Honda HR-V into their Mercedes, causing their car to spin out of control and crash into a pole at 11:37 p.m. Saturday evening.
Ballard was thrown from the car, but his right leg was severed and was still inside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Olivas died after being taken to hospital.
Dalia Olivas, 28, and her fiancé, Rick Ballard, 29, were killed by a drunk driver on Saturday evening
Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer, 23, was drunkenly driving home 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 had “major 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 party wristband, according to the affidavit obtained by KFOX14.
Fort Bliss Army Base officials identified Del Valle Ferrer as one of them on Wednesday.
“Fort Bliss leadership is 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’ sister, wrote on 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 get married and start their lives 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 who recently left her position due to her plans to get married and move in with Ballard
The bride-to-be was a high school English teacher who recently left her position due to her plans to move.
According to A., Ballard had already moved to Florida GoFundMe page hosted by his 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 “worked hard to make 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 hospital.
Police arrived at the scene of the heartbreaking crash, which severed Ballard’s leg
Ballard had moved to Florida but came back 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 training program focused on responsible driving behavior beginning the first week Soldiers arrive at Fort Bliss.”
He added: “We will continue to conduct frequent safety checks throughout the installation to encourage safe driving behavior and promote ride-sharing opportunities.
“We remain engaged with community leaders and local law enforcement to improve the safety of the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities.”