Family of El Paso couple killed by alleged drunk driver sues for over $1 million
The family of an El Paso high school teacher who was killed- along with her fiancé- by an alleged drunk driver is suing the suspect for over $1 million.
On Friday, the family of Dalia Olivas, a 28-year-old Triumph High School English teacher, held a press conference inside the law offices of Cesar Ornelas Injury Law, to thank the community for their outpour following Saturday's drunk driving crash that took Dalia and her fiancé Rick Ballard's life, as well as to announce that they are suing the alleged drunk driver, 23-year-old Fort Bliss soldier, Juan Francisco Del Valle Ferrer.
Holding back their emotions as best they could, Dalia's father, mother, sister and brother-in-law took turns to speak with the media.
This was the most unexpected thing and the most horrible thing imaginable that could have happened to us," said Dalia's brother-in-law Juan Villalobos.After the family spoke, Personal Injury Lawyer James Leech said that he filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family against Del Valle Ferrer, the accused drunk driver.
According to the lawsuit, Dalai's family wants more than $1,000,000 for wrongful death and survival damages, which include pain and mental anguish, as well as medical, funeral and burial expenses.
Below is a PDF copy of the lawsuit:
Besides the lawsuit, Leech said they are hoping to learn more about what led to the deadly crash.
We also asked... for the public to come forward with any information that they have about Mr. Ferrer's whereabouts prior to this," Leech said. "In these situations, it is important to have the full picture of the whereabouts when there's a drunk driving incident.Leech added that anyone with information should contact him or the El Paso County Sheriff's Department.
KFOX14/CBS4 got a hold of the Sheriff's arrest report which suggests that Del Valle Ferrer was driving from a gender reveal party.
In the report, deputies responding to the scene wrote that they saw Del Valle Ferrer wearing "a baby blue wristband from a gender reveal party," before he admitted to deputies that he had been drinking "a lot" and passed out.
KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with Dalia's sister, Diana Villalobos after the press conference.
Diana said that she feels drunk drivers in El Paso just get a slap on the wrist and is demanding justice.
When asked what punishment she thinks it would be fair if Del Valle Ferrer is found guilty, Diana said,
Life in prison.The family also used the press conference to publicly thank everyone who donated money to cover funeral expenses, as well as Operation Hope and the Perches Funeral Home for their help.
According to Diana, Rick had just arrived from Orlando, Florida, to visit Dalia, his future wife. He had been no more than an hour in El Paso when tragedy struck.
Diana said the two were driving to Whataburger as Rick liked to eat there every time he was in El Paso.
A Deputy Constable from Precinct 6 was also present at the press conference.
Speaking with the media, the Constable took the opportunity to remind El Pasoans not to drink and drive.
Holidays are coming up and we want to prevent any type of fatalities and that's what we're asking the El Paso community to come together and let's not drink and drive," the Constable said. "Remember, we're 'El Paso Strong.'It is unclear if any member of Rick Ballard's family was present at the press conference, however, it appears like only Dalia's family is involved in the lawsuit.
On Monday, KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with the principal of Triumph High School - El Paso West, Francisco Chavez, who said that Dalia had been working at the school since 2022 and had just resigned over the summer to move away and live with her fiancé.
The crash happened Saturday, Nov 2, at the intersection of Rojas and Eastlake at around 11:30 p.m.
When deputies arrived they saw a black Mercedes with Florida license plates against the center median of the road and a grey Honda HR-V.
The affidavit report stated that a witness told deputies that Del Valle Ferrer, driving the Honda, blew past a red light on Rojas Drive, crashing into the driver side of the Mercedes.
As a result of the impact, the Mercedes reportedly spun before crashing into a light pole.
Ballard was ejected from the Mercedes and died on the scene.
Dalia was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately died from her injuries not too long after.
Del Valle Ferrer is facing two counts of intoxicated manslaughter.
Authorities have yet to release Del Valle Ferrer's mugshot.
On Wednesday, Fort Bliss officials confirmed Del Valle Ferrer is assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
