Brianna Lapp has been charged with DUI, manslaughter, and second-degree murder following her involvement in a car crash Monday that killed a Fort Wainwright soldier.
PFC Arturo Alejandro Gomez was working at the Gaffney Road Gate at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, when an intoxicated Brianna, driving at a high rate of speed, crashed into him.
Prior to killing Gomez, Lapp had hit one vehicle, drove into a ditch, and struck another car before barrelling towards Fort Wainwright’s entrance.
Gomez was conducting a security check at the entrance at the time and saw the car bearing down on him but could not escape.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The accident occurred around 5 p.m. on Monday.
Soldiers of the military base came out with their rifles targeted at Lapp’s car, a Toyota 4Runner by the time officers from the Fairbanks Police Department arrived.
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Police arrested Lapp and conducted a field sobriety test which she failed with her blood alcohol level almost four times the legal limit. The arresting officer noted she had ‘poor mobility, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol,’
“She asked several times during the processing if she had hurt anybody and it wasn’t until officers ended up telling her that she had killed somebody, that she seemed remorseful,” Fairbanks Police Chief Ron Dupee said.
Brianna Lapp was arraigned Tuesday on charges of DUI, Manslaughter, and second-degree Murder. Her bail was set at $1,000,000.
Who was Arturo Gomez?
29-year-old Arturo Alejandro Gomez from Provo, Utah, was an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division
He joined the U.S. Army last July and trained in Fort Moore, Georgia.
He was transferred to Fort Wainwright, Alaska in February 2024.
“Gomez showed great promise in his short time in the Arctic Wolves,” Col. Christopher Brawley said.
“The loss of Pfc. Gomez has had a devastating impact on the unit. We are doing our best to support his family, friends and fellow soldiers in the aftermath of this tragic and senseless incident.”