Motorcyclist Charged With Murder Of Clark Woman, College Freshman

CLARK, NJ — A motorcyclist has been charged with murder after police say he fatally hit a University of Delaware freshman from Clark while she was walking in a crosswalk on the first day of class.

Brian Briddle, 27, of Newark, Delaware, was taken into custody at his home by Newark Police on Thursday without incident and charged with murder(second-degree), possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, disregarding a police officer’s signal, driving a special vehicle without a special license, operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a red light (three counts).

He appeared in court and was ordered to be held in default of $362,005 cash bail. Briddle was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.

Noelia Gomez, 18, of Clark, was identified on Thursday as the pedestrian killed in the crash on Tuesday, according to Newark Police.

"Our UD community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our first-year students. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and all who are grieving," wrote University of Delaware Police.

• See Related: Clark Woman, College Freshman Fatally Hit By Motorcycle On 1st Day Of Class

On Aug. 27 at about 11:53 p.m., a University of Delaware police officer tried to stop a motorcycle for a traffic offense on East Main Street just west of South Chapel Street.

The motorcyclist, later identified as Briddle, disregarded the police officer’s emergency lights and fled at a high rate of speed westbound on East Main Street, said police.

When the motorcycle fled at a high rate of speed the University of Delaware police officer stopped following the motorcycle and turned off his emergency lights.

The motorcycle continued westbound on East Main Street at a high rate of speed and hit a pedestrian, later identified as Gomez, in a crosswalk on West Main Street, just west of North College Avenue, said police.

The fatal crash was witnessed by many of Gomez's friends and classmates, according to the University of Delaware.

This crash occurred within one minute of when police tried to stop the motorcycle.

As a result of the crash, the motorcyclist came off the bike. The motorcycle continued onto the sidewalk on the north side of West Main Street and hit four pedestrians on the sidewalk, along with a light pole, said police.

Bystanders tried lifesaving measures on the pedestrian in the crosswalk, however they were unsuccessful. Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three of the pedestrians on the sidewalk suffered minor injuries for which they refused to be taken to a hospital. One of the sidewalk pedestrians suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening and was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

The motorcycle rider also suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening and was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

The motorcycle rider has not been charged with any offenses at this time while the case remains under investigation.

"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," wrote the University.

The crash remains under investigation by the Newark Police Department Traffic Unit. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact M/Cpl W. Aston at 302-366-7100 ext. 3414 or waston@newark.de.us.

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