On Tuesday evening, at approximately 11:53 p.m., a University of Delaware Police officer attempted to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation. The attempt occurred on East Main Street, just west of South Chapel Street.
Officials said the motorcycle ignored the officer's hazard lights and fled west on East Main Street at a high rate of speed. The University of Delaware police officer did not give chase and turned off his hazard lights as the motorcycle fled at a high rate of speed.
The motorcycle continued west on East Main Street at a high rate of speed and struck Noelia Gomez, 18, of Clark, New Jersey, as she was a pedestrian in a crosswalk on West Main Street, just west of North College Avenue. The accident occurred within one minute of attempting to stop the motorcycle. The motorcyclist fell from the motorcycle as a result of the accident. The motorcycle continued onto the sidewalk on the north side of West Main Street and struck four pedestrians on the sidewalk and a light pole.
Passers-by tried to save Noelia's life on the zebra crossing, but they were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Three of the pedestrians on the sidewalk sustained minor injuries and declined transport to a hospital. One of the pedestrians sustained injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The motorcyclist also suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Officials have not released the status of the motorcyclist or released his name. Officials said Wednesday that the driver has not been charged with any crimes at this time while the case remains under investigation.
