A couple in El Paso, Texas, tragically lost their lives after an allegedly drunk driver T-boned their car at an intersection. The crash came after the driver reportedly blew through a red light because he was driving impaired after attending a gender reveal party. Now, the families of the victims are left to mourn the couple, who were excited to start a new life together in another state.
Police arrested the driver, who is an Army solider stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. He has since been charged.
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The driver was apparently extremely drunk.
According to a Facebook post by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, police responded to a call about a crash between two vehicles at an intersection. Police identified driver of the car that caused the crash as Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer, a 23-year-old Army solider stationed at Fort Bliss. He was intoxicated when his car hit another car containing 29-year-old Rick Ballard and his fiancé, 28-year-old Dalia Olivas, KFOX 14 reported.
The couple died as a result of the crash.
According to reports, Ballard died at the site of the crash. When police arrived, they saw he had been ejected from his Mercedes, but his right leg, which had been severed from his body, was still in the vehicle. Olivas, who was in the passenger seat, was taken to the hospital. She later died from her injuries.
KFOX 14 reports that Del Valle Ferrer was driving at a high speed when he ignored a stop sign, hitting the couple at the intersection.
The driver admitted to being intoxicated after leaving a party.
The deputies that responded to the crash call stated that Del Valle Ferrer smelled strongly of alcohol. When the emergency first responders asked him how much he had to drink, he responded with “a lot.” He reportedly then passed out.
The police document stated that he still had on a baby blue wristband from the gender reveal party he had attended.
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The driver was immediately arrested and charged.
ABC affiliate KVIA reported that online arrest records show Del Valle Ferrer was arrested and charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter on the day of the collision. He is solider at Fort Bliss, which released a statement about the crash.
“The Fort Bliss leadership is deeply saddened by this tragedy and its impact on the El Paso community,” the Army wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those involved in the accident. We remain committed to a robust driver education program focused on responsible driving habits that begins the first week Soldiers arrive to Fort Bliss. We will continue frequent safety checks across the installation to encourage safe driving practices and promote ridesharing opportunities.” Fort Bliss is cooperating with local law enforcement on the case.
Those close to the couple are in mourning.
Many people who were close to Olivas spoke about how sad they were to lose her. “Her goals were to move to Florida with her fiancee and eventually get married. It’s very tragic for us to hear this very sad news. She will be greatly missed,” Francisco Chavez, Principal of Triumph High School, where Olivas worked until May 2024, told KVIA.
Olivas’ sister created a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs. She described her sister as “full of life and had a heart of gold, touching everyone around her.”
