(PatriotNews.net) – An 18-year-old University of Delaware freshman, Noelia Gomez, was tragically killed on her first day of classes by a motorcyclist fleeing from police. The incident happened late at night near the campus in Newark, Delaware.
Noelia, from Clark, New Jersey, was crossing the street with friends when she was struck by the motorcycle. The rider, identified as 27-year-old Brian Briddle, was trying to escape after a University of Delaware police officer had attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. Police say Briddle sped away after ignoring the officer’s lights. Within a minute, he hit Gomez while she was in a crosswalk.
The officer had not been chasing Briddle at the time of the crash, as the police lights had been turned off. Despite efforts from bystanders to save Gomez, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Briddle was thrown from his motorcycle after the crash, and the bike continued onto the sidewalk, hitting four other people. Three of them had minor injuries, while one person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Briddle also suffered injuries but was treated at a hospital before being arrested. He now faces several serious charges, including second-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, and fleeing police. He was also charged with driving without the proper license and running multiple red lights. Briddle is being held on over $360,000 bail at a correctional facility in Wilmington, Delaware.
Noelia Gomez had recently graduated with honors from Union Catholic High School in New Jersey, where she was active in cheerleading and dance. She had plans to study finance and business at the University of Delaware.
University President Dennis Assanis expressed deep sorrow over the loss, saying the entire campus is grieving. “Our hearts are very heavy today,” he said, sending condolences to Gomez’s family and friends. Police are still investigating the incident.
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