Soldier’s ‘senseless, tragic’ death could’ve been prevented if drunk-driving defendant caught a ride, police chief says
A woman accused of recklessly driving an SUV into Fort Wainwright’s main gate and fatally injuring a soldier who tried to stop her has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and driving under the influence.
Fairbanks Police apprehended 31-year-old Brianna Lapp after she sped eastbound on Gaffney Road toward the main gate at around 5 p.m. Monday, driving in and out of ditches and over medians and colliding with two vehicles along the way.
“So when the first FPD officer arrived at the scene, there were several military personnel that had their rifles pointed at the Toyota 4Runner,” said police spokesperson Teal Soden.
She said Tuesday that Lapp was trapped in the SUV after it came to a rest slammed up against a concrete barricade.
“The 4Runner had significant damage and was stopped with the driver’s side up against a Jersey barrier, Soden said, “and the victim was on the ground behind the vehicle.”
The victim was 29-year-old Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Police say after they apprehended Lapp, she had slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol about her. Soden says a breath-sample analysis showed Lapp was extremely intoxicated.
“The breath alcohol content that she had nearly two hours after the incident was over three and a half times the legal limit.”
'Devastating impact on the unit,' brigade commander says
The main gate was closed after the incident and reopened at noon Tuesday. Lapp was charged with manslaughter and DUI and taken into custody at Fairbanks Correctional Center. Prosecutors later added the second-degree murder charge. In her arraignment Tuesday, bail was set at a million dollars.
Meanwhile, Fairbanks police continue their investigation into the case that Chief Ron Dupee calls tragic.
“The death of Private First Class Arturo Gomez was senseless and preventable,” he said. “I find it incredibly tragic that this young man who has joined the military service was senselessly run down here in the country that he signed up to protect.”
First Infantry brigade commander Colonel Christopher Brawley says Gomez showed great promise since he joined the Army a year ago and arrived at Fort Wainwright in February.
Brawley said in a news release that “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.”
Dupee added that it was an all-too-common tragedy that didn’t have to happen.
“It’s one of those crimes that is truly preventable,” the chief said. “We all have the opportunity to take a ride -- call somebody, Uber, take a cab, a Lyft. There’s a million different ways to get home, rather than putting the key in the ignition and driving.”
Fairbanks police are asking anyone who witnessed or has information about the case to contact the department.
