A University of Delaware student, 18-year-old Noelia Gomez of Clark, New Jersey, was tragically killed by a motorcyclist. This unfortunate incident took place on the first day of classes, casting a somber shadow over the Newark, Delaware campus.
The police confirmed that the accident occurred around 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Gomez was crossing a campus crosswalk with a group of friends when she was hit by a motorcycle driven by 27-year-old Brian Briddle of Newark, Delaware. Briddle was reportedly trying to escape a traffic stop initiated by a University of Delaware police officer.
The Newark Police Department reports that the officer had tried to pull Briddle over for a traffic violation. However, Briddle accelerated down Main Street, leading the officer to terminate the pursuit in accordance with department policy. Shortly after, Briddle crashed into Gomez at the crosswalk. The impact ejected him from the motorcycle, which continued on its path, injuring four other pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Emergency services declared Gomez dead at the scene. The four other individuals struck by the motorcycle sustained injuries but are expected to fully recover. Briddle was also injured and transported to a hospital for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries.
Two days after the incident, on August 29, police arrested Briddle at his Newark residence. He is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, failure to obey a police officer’s signal, driving a specific vehicle without the required license, operating an unregistered vehicle, and running a red light.
The incident has deeply impacted the University of Delaware community. Haya Hasan, a freshman at the university, stated that the incident has dominated conversations, with many expressing a deep sense of sadness. Hasan voiced her belief that those responsible should be held accountable. Another freshman, Kyley Wolff, expressed her sympathy for Gomez’s family and her wish to provide them with support.
University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis and Vice President José-Luis Riera issued a joint statement expressing their sorrow. They spoke about the tragic loss, offering their condolences to the family, friends, and larger community affected by the untimely death of Gomez.
The university has announced plans for a memorial service to honor Gomez. Also, counseling services have been made available to students and staff affected by the incident.