FAIRBANKS, Alaska — A soldier from Provo was killed Monday after being struck by a suspected drunk driver while working as a gate guard at Fort Wainwright in Alaska.
Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez was at his post at approximately 5 p.m. when a woman reportedly drove through ditches and over medians near the base at a high rate of speed, according to the Fairbanks Police Department.
The driver, Brianna Raquel Lapp, 31, allegedly struck two vehicles and a sign before driving through a fence and striking Gomez.
When police arrived, they found several soldiers pointing their rifles at Lapp's Toyota 4Runner, while the 29-year-old Gomez was on the ground behind the SUV where he was pronounced dead.
"He tried to dodge. The reports were saying he tried to dodge and it just... He wasn't injured. It was quick," said Scott Vranes.
Vranes said Gomez was part of their family.
"He just kind of came in, he just fit in. He just fit in with the family and we took him with us," he said.
He had just visited Gomez in Alaska back in May. Gomez was supposed to fly back home to Utah Aug. 4.
"He did everything he needed to do in this life. He did so much with so little," said Vranes.
An officer reported that Lapp had "poor mobility, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol." A breath sample given by Lapp measured .299 Blood Alcohol Content, over three times the legal limit.
"The defendant stated she did not remember hitting anyone," the police report said.
Lapp was arrested and charged with Murder, Manslaughter and DUI.
"It was his time. As tragic as it is, it was his time," said Vranes.
Gomez joined the Army in July 2023 and was an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.
His family said he loved his new job and he was proud of it.
"We all love Arturo very much and we are going to greatly miss him," said Jen Vranes.
"The death of this soldier was senseless and preventable,” stated Fairbanks Police Chief Ron Dupee, “I find it incredibly tragic that this young man who joined the military service was senselessly run down right here in the country that he signed up to protect. His life was taken away and this deeply impacts the entire Ft. Wainwright and Fairbanks community.”
