A Fairbanks, Alaska woman was sentenced Monday to 17 years in prison, with five years suspended, for a drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a Fort Wainwright soldier in July 2024. Brianna Raquel Lapp, 33, pleaded guilty in November to charges of manslaughter, third-degree assault, and driving under the influence, according to court records.
The tragic incident occurred on the evening of July 22, 2024, when Lapp drove her Toyota 4Runner toward the Fort Wainwright main gate at a high rate of speed. She struck two vehicles, a traffic control sign, and a section of construction fencing before colliding with and fatally injuring Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez, 29, who was on duty at the gate. The case highlights the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the profound impact on military families and the wider community.
Pfc. Gomez, a native of California who grew up in Henderson, Nevada, had been stationed at Fort Wainwright since February 2024, serving as an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. He joined the Army in July 2023 after completing basic training at Fort Moore, Georgia, and had previously completed a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to his obituary.
The Crash and Investigation
According to Fairbanks police and court records, Lapp’s vehicle traveled approximately 2,000 feet after the initial impact, striking multiple objects before coming to rest against a concrete barrier. Responding officers reported signs of heavy intoxication, and a breath test administered roughly two hours after the incident registered a blood alcohol content of .299 – more than three times Alaska’s legal limit of .08. Lapp reportedly told police she had no recollection of hitting anyone, KTVF reported.
The scene was quickly secured by armed soldiers who arrived before law enforcement. A Fairbanks grand jury indicted Lapp in August 2024 on charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, and assault, as well as reckless endangerment and driving under the influence, according to the Alaska Department of Law. Prosecutors had been prepared to pursue the second-degree murder charge, citing Lapp’s high blood alcohol level and the distance she traveled after the initial collisions.
A Statement of Forgiveness
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, Scott Vranes, a Utah resident who had mentored Pfc. Gomez, addressed Lapp directly. In a moment described by District Attorney Joe Dallaire as “one of the most gracious” he had ever witnessed in a courtroom, Vranes told Lapp that his family forgave her and urged her not to succumb to self-hatred.
Lapp’s attorney, Meredith Morse, told the court that Lapp had experienced a sexual assault shortly before the fatal crash and had been seeking help at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, where she mentored other inmates in a wellness support program. Lapp herself expressed remorse for the harm she had caused.
The Sentence and Aftermath
Judge Brent Bennett acknowledged the horrific nature of the crash and its lasting impact on multiple lives. While recognizing the circumstances that led Lapp to alcohol employ, he emphasized that those factors did not justify her decision to drive under the influence. Lapp was sentenced to 17 years in prison with five years suspended, and seven years of probation. The state will seize and sell her vehicle, and she will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle she drives upon her release. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Fort Wainwright, home to the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of its soldiers and the surrounding community.
The next step in this case involves the calculation of restitution for Pfc. Gomez’s family. Further updates will be provided by the Alaska Department of Law as they become available.
We encourage readers to share their thoughts and reflections on this tragic event. If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of alcohol abuse or trauma, please reach out for help. Resources are available at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
