Speeding motorcyclist kills University of Delaware student just as classes begin

NEWARK, Del. (KYW Newsradio) — A first-year student at University of Delaware was killed Tuesday night when someone riding a motorcycle failed to pull over for police, sped off and hit her in the crosswalk.

Newark police say it was around midnight when an officer from the university attempted to stop the motorcyclist for a traffic offense on East Main Street. They say the person disregarded the officer's emergency lights and sped off. The officer did not engage in a pursuit and turned off their lights.

About a minute later, police say the motorcyclist hit the student, 18-year-old Noelia Gomez, of Clark, New Jersey, in the crosswalk. Police say the motorcyclist then fell off the bike, which continued moving on the sidewalk, striking four people as well as a light pole.

Bystanders attempted to save Gomez but were unsuccessful. She died at the scene.

The motorcyclist and one of the pedestrians were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The three other pedestrians had minor injuries.

“Incidents such as this are unimaginably tragic,” read a statement from the university. “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.

“Especially in a moment like this, we must all come together, to lean on each other, and to do so with extra kindness and empathy. Together, we are stronger, and we must live this truth in the coming days.”

The university says resources and support are available for those who need it.

No charges have been issued at this time.