Fort Bliss soldier charged with intoxicated manslaughter in crash that killed El Paso couple
Update (November 6, 2024): Fort Bliss officials identify the man charged with two counts of intoxicated manslaughter in this crash as Sgt. Juan Del Valle. Online jail records confirm that Del Valle was arrested and charged with the two counts the day of the crash, Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Fort Bliss says Del Valle is assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
"The division is fully cooperating with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as they continue their investigation," a 1st Armored Division spokesperson stated Wednesday morning. "We appreciate our first responders and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response at the scene."
Major General Curtis Taylor released the following statement about Del Valle's arrest and the crash:
"The Fort Bliss leadership is deeply saddened by this tragedy and its impact on the El Paso community. 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."
Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss
EL PASO, TX (KVIA) -- Dalia Olivas and Rick Ballard were identified as the victims in the crash that took their lives this past weekend.
The crash happened just before midnight on Saturday night on the corner of Rojas and Eastlake in East El Paso.
ABC-7 was able to talk with some of those close to the victims.
Olivas was an English teacher at Triumph High School in West El Paso until this past May. We spoke with her principal, Francisco Chavez, about the impact that she has had in the community and how it lasted.
He told us that teachers and students were shocked by the news. Chavez said it was hard for a lot of teachers to come in to work.
"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."
ABC-7 also spoke with a childhood friend of Olivas. Stephanie Aviña had known Dalia since they were five years old.
"She was there through everything, through the good, the bad. She never once judged, you know, she was always the one to be a friend."
Aviña was emotional when speaking, and saying El Paso has too many drunk drivers, and for everyone to take control of their lives so that these accidents can stop happening.
There is a GoFundMe for Dalia and Rick, if you wish to help, you can find it here.
