On August 26, a tragic collision on Ederlee Drive in Cary claimed the life of 76‑year‑old Soile Lazarz. While crossing a marked crosswalk near Peregrine Place, she was struck by a black SUV driven by Ayaz Pathan. Police pronounced Lazarz dead at the scene. The driver and the children riding in the vehicle escaped injury.
Charges filed against the driver
Cary police have charged Pathan with three misdemeanors: death by vehicle, failure to reduce speed to avoid colliding with a person, and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. The charges reflect the seriousness of the incident and the community’s demand for accountability when motorists endanger pedestrians.
Community concerns over pedestrian safety
The crash has reignited long‑standing worries about pedestrian safety along the increasingly busy stretch of Ederlee Drive, which runs near Symphony Lake and the Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Neighbors say they have filed complaints for years about inadequate signage and the difficulty of seeing pedestrians at the crossing.
State representative calls for action
State Rep. Julie von Haefen announced Thursday that she has formally requested a safety review from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the intersection of Ederlee Drive and Peregrine Place. Von Haefen noted that constituents have repeatedly reported drivers failing to yield, and she will continue pressing NCDOT for information about installing a safer crossing.
NCDOT’s response and future plans
NCDOT confirmed it is ultimately responsible for maintaining the crosswalk, though the Town of Cary has been involved in recent improvements. The agency said plans are in place to install a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the crossing in the fall of 2028, but the project could begin sooner if funding and engineering studies allow.
Town of Cary’s role
The Town of Cary has worked with NCDOT on past upgrades to the area, but residents say the existing signs do not do enough to alert drivers to pedestrians. Local officials have not yet announced a specific timeline for additional signage or other engineering changes beyond the planned beacon.
Condolences and community response
Rep. von Haefen expressed her heartfelt condolences to Lazarz’s family, offering thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss. Community members gathered at the site to lay flowers and share memories of Lazarz, underscoring the personal impact of the tragedy on Cary residents.
What comes next?
The criminal case against Pathan will proceed through the local court system, while the safety review requested by Rep. von Haefen may lead to faster implementation of traffic‑calming measures. Residents are encouraged to report unsafe driving behavior and to use designated crosswalks, especially during peak traffic hours.
For updates on the investigation, the upcoming safety review, and any changes to the Ederlee Drive crossing, stay tuned to local news outlets and the Town of Cary’s official communications.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
