A University of Delaware freshman tragically lost her life in a devastating incident that occurred on Tuesday night. Noelia Gomez, an 18-year-old student from Clark, New Jersey, was struck and killed by a speeding motorcyclist while crossing a street near the college campus.
The motorcyclist, identified as Brian Briddle, 27, was attempting to evade a traffic stop initiated by a University of Delaware police officer. Briddle disregarded the officer's signal to stop and fled at a high speed, ultimately colliding with Gomez within a minute of the attempted stop.
Despite efforts by bystanders to save her, Gomez succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The tragic incident also resulted in injuries to four other pedestrians, with three sustaining minor injuries and one being transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Briddle, who was thrown from the motorcycle during the crash, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken into custody on Thursday. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder and various traffic-related offenses.
Gomez, a recent graduate of Union Catholic High School, was described as a talented student with interests in finance and business. Her sudden and untimely death has deeply shaken the University of Delaware community, with President Dennis Assanis expressing profound sorrow for the loss.
As investigations into the incident continue, the university and local authorities are working to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event and provide support to those affected by the loss of a promising young student.
