Speeding motorcyclist charged after University of Delaware student fatally struck

NEWARK, Delaware (WPVI) -- Police have charged the speeding motorcyclist accused of killing a first-year University of Delaware student on Tuesday night.

Brian Briddle, 27, of Newark, is facing a slew of charges, including second-degree murder, in the death of 18-year-old Noelia Gomez from Clark, New Jersey.

Police say Gomez was hit while she was in a crosswalk on West Main Street near North College Avenue just a few minutes before midnight.

Gomez just arrived on campus Friday, and according to her LinkedIn profile, she was studying accounting and business management.

She was out with friends after completing her first day of classes.

The Newark Police Department said the incident began at 11:53 p.m. when a University of Delaware police officer attempted to stop Briddle at East Main Street and South Chapel Street for a traffic offense.

Police say the motorcyclist ignored the police vehicle's emergency lights and sped away.

The university officer turned off his emergency lights and did not pursue Briddle, Newark police said.

The motorcycle struck Gomez, killing her, about one minute later.

Briddle fell off, but the motorcycle continued onto the sidewalk along West Main Street, injuring four other pedestrians.

Bystanders tried to save Gomez, police said, but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

"I feel horrible for her family and everyone that was there who witnessed it," said Courtney May, who is a junior.

"As a parent, I can't imagine you're sending your child off to school to see the world, and going away from home, and getting that call or that visit unfortunately early in the morning, it's truly tragic," said Newark Police Sgt. Jay Conover.

The university statement said the crash was witnessed by many of her friends and classmates.

"Incidents such as this are unimaginably tragic. We cannot express enough how sorry we are for the family, friends, and greater community as we are all so deeply shaken by the sudden loss of one of our own. Our hearts are very heavy today," President Dennis Assanis and Vice President for Student Life José-Luis Riera said in the statement.

Three of the pedestrians struck by the motorcycle suffered minor injuries. One was taken to the hospital with what is believed to be a non-life-threatening injury.

Briddle was also taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

Newark police say the crash remains under investigation.

Students said they're brainstorming ideas to increase safety for themselves and in honor of this student who tragically lost her life.

"She only had one day of college classes," said May. "I think that's what is making a lot of people come together and be like, 'This just can't happen.'"

The university says resources are available for students in need of support. More information is available at this page on UDel.edu.