A Fort Bliss soldier accused in a drunken driving crash that killed an El Paso teacher and her fiancé is scheduled to have a bond hearing this week.
Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer, 23, was booked into the El Paso County Jail Nov. 30 in connection with a fatal wreck that resulted in the death of Triumph High School-El Paso West teacher Dalia Olivas, 28, and her fiancé Rick Ballard, 29, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office officials said.
Del Valle is facing two counts of intoxicated manslaughter in the Nov. 2 crash. He was booked into the jail nearly a month after the crash because he was receiving treatment at a hospital for injuries he sustained in the wreck, officials said.
Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer
Del Valle remains jailed as of Monday, Dec. 16, on a bond totaling $520,000. He is scheduled for a bond hearing Wednesday, Dec. 18, in the 243rd District Court before Judge Selena Solis.
Joseph D. Vasquez, Del Valle’s attorney, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Vasquez is a sergeant assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, said Lt. Col. Jessica Rovero, a spokesperson for the 1st Armored Division. The 1st Armored Division is fully cooperating with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as it continue its investigation.
“The Fort Bliss leadership is deeply saddened by this tragedy and its impact on the El Paso community,” Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, said 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. We remain engaged with community leaders and local law enforcement to improve the safety of the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities,” Taylor continued in the statement.
Del Valle drank ‘a lot’ at a gender reveal party before crash
Del Valle was driving a gray Honda HR-V at a high speed about 11:40 p.m. Nov. 2 and did not stop at a red light at the intersection of Rojas Drive and Eastlake Boulevard in Far East El Paso, a criminal complaint affidavit states.
He crashed into the driver’s side of a black Mercedes CLE450 driven by Ballard, who had the green light at the intersection. The collision caused the Mercedes to spin out of control and crash into a traffic signal light pole.
Ballard right leg was pinned inside the vehicle and was “torn off as he was ejected from the vehicle,” the affidavit states. Ballard died at the scene of the crash, while Olivas was taken to Del Sol Medical Center, where she later died because of the injuries she suffered in the crash.
Deputies smelled an odor of alcohol coming for Del Valle’s breath, the affidavit states. A Life Ambulance Emergency Medical technician, who was providing aid to the people involved in the wreck, also said Del Valle smelled like alcohol.
A deputy asked Del Valle how much he had to drink. He replied, “a lot” and proceeded to pass out, the affidavit alleges. Del Valle was wearing a “baby blue wristband from a gender reveal party,” the affidavit states.
An investigation of the crash showed the Honda’s engine was thrown from the vehicle because of the the impact.
Del Valle was taken to Del Sol Medical Center for treatment. No details have been released on Del Valle’s injuries. He was released from the hospital and booked Nov. 30 into the El Paso County Jail.
Couple’s family files lawsuit against Del Valle
Olivas’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit Nov. 7, seeking more than $1 million for medical, funeral and burial expenses, along with pain and mental anguish the family has suffered, the lawsuit states.
The fatal crash was because of Del Valle being “negligent, careless, and reckless,” the lawsuits states.
“The tragic collision solely caused by Defendant (Del Valle) took the lives of Rick Andre Ballard and Dalia Olivas at the ages of 29 and 28, respectively,” the filing states. “At all relevant times, Defendant (Del Valle) Ferrer was obviously intoxicated. The investigating officers charged Ferrer with ‘intoxicated manslaughter’ due to (Del Valle) Ferrer’s obvious intoxication while at the scene.”
A status hearing in the lawsuit is set for Feb. 13 before Judge Solis.
Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Fort Bliss soldier set for bond hearing in fatal drunk driving crash
