Arturo Alejandro Gomez Obituary, Death – A tragic incident has shaken the community as a 29-year-old soldier, Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez, lost his life in a devastating crash involving an alleged drunk driver at the main gate of Fort Wainwright in Alaska. The incident occurred just after 5 p.m. on Monday and involved three vehicles near the Gaffney Road Gate.

According to Fairbanks police reports, the driver, identified as 31-year-old Brianna Raquel Lapp, was traveling northbound on Richardson Highway when she struck another vehicle, veered into a ditch, and collided with yet another car before speeding towards the fort’s entrance. Witnesses noted several military personnel had attempted to stop Lapp’s Toyota 4Runner, with some resorting to aiming rifles, but tragically, Pfc. Gomez was unable to evade the vehicle and was fatally struck.

Upon police arrival, Gomez was found lying on the ground behind the severely damaged vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Lapp, who failed her field sobriety test and registered nearly four times the legal limit for blood alcohol content, expressed remorse only upon learning she had caused a fatality.

The aftermath has seen Lapp arrested and charged with DUI and second-degree murder, highlighting the severe consequences of impaired driving. Col. Christopher Brawley of the Brigade Combat Team, Airborne Division, expressed deep sorrow over Gomez’s death, emphasizing his promising career and the profound impact on his unit and loved ones.

As investigations continue into this senseless tragedy, the community mourns the loss of a dedicated soldier and echoes calls for responsible behavior on the road. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the imperative to prevent such tragedies in the future.