Provo soldier killed on duty by suspected drunk driver

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A soldier from Provo was killed Monday when he was struck by a suspected drunk driver while working as a gate guard at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

According to Fairbanks police, Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez was at his post around 5 p.m. when a woman drove at a high rate of speed through ditches and across medians near the base.

The driver, Brianna Raquel Lapp, 31, allegedly struck two vehicles and a sign before driving through a fence and hitting Gomez. Witnesses told police that Gomez tried to run away to avoid a collision.

When police arrived, several troopers pointed their rifles at Lapp’s Toyota 4Runner while 29-year-old Gomez lay on the ground behind the SUV and was pronounced dead.

An officer reported that Lapp had “limited mobility, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol.” A breath sample given by Lapp showed a blood alcohol content of 0.299 per mille, more than three times the legal limit.

“The defendant stated that she could not remember hitting anyone,” the police report states.

Lapp was arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter and driving under the influence.

Gomez joined the Army in July 2023 and was an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Combat Brigade, 11th Airborne Division.

“This soldier’s death was senseless and could have been prevented,” said Fairbanks Police Chief Ron Dupee. “I find it incredibly tragic that this young man who joined the military was senselessly slaughtered right here in the country he was sworn to protect. His life was taken and this has a profound impact on the entire Fort Wainwright and Fairbanks community.”