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Texas Police Say Fort Bliss Soldier Drinks ‘Too Much’ Before Crash That Killed Engaged Couple

Harry November 7, 2024

a usa Army The trooper faces charges in the death of a Texas couple in a late-night car crash, authorities told news outlets.

Accident The incident occurred before midnight on November 2 at an intersection in El Paso, McClatchy News reported. While 29-year-old Rick Ballard was determined to have died at the scene, his fiancée, 28-year-old Dalia Olivas, also died at the scene. died from his injuries in a hospital.

Authorities Castle of HappinessThe driver of the other vehicle, a military base in El Paso, was one of his soldiersKVIA television channel reported.

Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer (23), drunk driving El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies said when the crash occurred, according to court documents obtained by television station KFOX. Deputies added that Ferrer, who was still wearing his blue wristband from the gender reveal party he attended, smelled strongly of alcohol and told first responders at the scene that he had been drinking “too much” that evening, the station reported.

The sheriff’s office has released few details about the crash, but court documents show a devastating scene, KFOX reported; Deputies said that although Ballard was ejected upon impact, one of his legs was found inside his vehicle.

According to McClatchy, family and friends say Ballard and Olivas plan to get married and move to Florida together. Olivas, an English teacher in El Paso, was “full of life and had a heart of gold,” her sister, Diana Villalobos, said on GoFundMe.

Jail records show Ferrer is charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter, each with bail set at $260,000.

Fort Bliss officials said they were “deeply saddened” by the incident and its “impact on the El Paso community,” KVIA reported.

“We remain committed to a robust driver training program that focuses on responsible driving habits from the first week Soldiers arrive at Fort Bliss,” Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor said in a statement, the station reported. he said. “We will continue frequent safety checks throughout the installation to promote safe driving practices and encourage ridesharing opportunities. We continue to engage with community leaders and local law enforcement to increase the safety of the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities.”

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