NEWARK, Del. (CBS) — Police have identified University of Delaware student was struck and killed by a motorcycle on the first day of school earlier this week.
The student was identified as 18-year-old Noelia Gomez of Clark, New Jersey, Newark police said in a news release.
Gomez was killed when a motorcyclist fleeing a police traffic stop struck several people on the UDel campus around 11:50 p.m. Tuesday, Newark police said.
A UDel officer had attempted to stop the bicyclist, who police say ignored the officer and sped down Main Street before hitting Gomez in a crosswalk. The rider was thrown from the bike, and the bike continued on, hitting four other pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Gomez was confirmed as a freshman, with classes starting the same day of the crash.
“Incidents like this are unimaginably tragic. We cannot express enough our condolences to the family, friends and community as we are all deeply shocked by the sudden loss of one of our own. Our hearts are very heavy today,” President Dennis Assanis and Vice President José-Luis Riera said in a joint message.
“Especially at a time like this, we all need to come together, lean on each other, and do so with extra kindness and empathy. Together we are stronger, and we must live this truth in the days ahead. We are one Blue Hen community,” the statement continued.
