A University of Delaware student, age 18, was fatally hit by a motorcyclist who was attempting to evade a police traffic stop. The incident, which took place on the first day of the academic year, has plunged the Newark, Delaware campus into a state of grief.
The student, Noelia Gomez, a resident of Clark, New Jersey, was crossing a campus crosswalk along with her friends when she was struck by a motorcycle. The vehicle was being driven by 27-year-old Brian Briddle of Newark, who had just fled from a traffic stop by a University of Delaware police officer.
Reports from the Newark Police Department state that Briddle was initially pulled over for a traffic violation. However, he sped off down Main Street, leading the officer to disengage his lights and cease pursuit, in line with department protocol. Shortly after, Briddle hit Gomez in the crosswalk, and the impact caused him to be thrown off the motorcycle. The out-of-control bike then hit four additional pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Gomez was declared dead at the scene, while the four other pedestrians suffered injuries but are expected to recover. Briddle was transported to a hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.
On August 29, Briddle was arrested at his Newark, Delaware residence. The charges against him include second-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, disobeying a police officer’s signal, operating a specific type of vehicle without the required license, driving an unregistered vehicle, and running a red light.
The incident has triggered a wave of sorrow across the University of Delaware community. University freshman Haya Hasan stated that the tragedy has been a major topic of conversation among students, with many expressing profound sadness. Hasan asserted that the incident should not have taken place and that the guilty parties must be held accountable.
First-year student Kyley Wolff also voiced deep condolences for the family and expressed a desire to provide them with support during this difficult time.
University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis and Vice President José-Luis Riera issued a joint statement expressing their heartfelt sorrow over the incident. The statement emphasized the need for unity and support within the campus community, encouraging everyone to offer kindness and empathy to those affected. They reminded everyone of their shared identity as one Blue Hen (school mascot) community.
The university has announced a memorial service to honor the memory of Gomez, and has provided counseling services for students and staff affected by the tragedy.
