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Ayaz Pathan charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle after striking and killing 76-year-old Soile Lazarz

Ayaz Pathan was charged with three charges, including misdemeanor death by vehicle, after striking and killing 76-year-old Soile Lazarz while she was crossing Ederlee Drive in Cary. The crash occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on Wednesday, when Lazarz was on her daily morning walk. Police reported that Pathan, driving a black SUV, failed to reduce speed and failed to yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. Lazarz's husband, Thomas Lazarz, noted that his wife was a cautious pedestrian who obeyed traffic laws. Neighbors and local residents expressed concern over the speed of traffic on Ederlee Drive, noting that drivers frequently exceed the speed limit. State Rep. Julie von Haefen has formally requested a safety review from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The department has plans to schedule a pedestrian hybrid beacon for the crossing in 2028, though the project could begin sooner. A memorial has been established at the site, where neighbors have placed flowers and a cross in honor of the deceased.

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