Soile Lazarz Killed in Cary Pedestrian Accident
The 76-year-old woman was struck by a black SUV while on her daily morning walk
Soile Lazarz, 76, of Cary, was killed in a pedestrian crash on Ederlee Drive near Regency Parkway in Cary, North Carolina, on Wednesday, according to the Cary Police Department.
A black SUV struck Lazarz shortly after 7 a.m. while she was on her daily walk. The driver and children riding in the vehicle were not injured. First responders and bystanders attempted life-saving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband, Thomas Lazarz, remembered her as a cautious walker who strictly obeyed traffic laws and advocated for equal opportunities in the community.
The crash remains under investigation by local authorities, and no charges have been filed against the driver.
Officers closed a section of the road between Regency Parkway and Peregrine Place for several hours to process the scene.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), 250 pedestrians died in traffic crashes statewide in 2023.
While the Cary Police Department continues to investigate the exact cause of the crash, independent investigators often look at vehicle speed, driver distraction, and visibility at crossings.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Roadway design plays a bigger role in fatal pedestrian outcomes than most realize, since missing sidewalks, faded crosswalk paint, and poorly timed signals push foot traffic into dangerous conflict with fast moving vehicles. Poor lighting compounds every hazard after sunset hours."
"Legal counsel brings in engineers to evaluate intersection layout, signal timing, and lighting conditions surrounding a catastrophic pedestrian collision," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Why did the SUV strike Lazarz on Ederlee Drive?
Thomas Lazarz noted that traffic in the area frequently exceeds the speed limit, raising questions about the SUV's speed prior to the impact. Investigators will likely pull event data recorders from the black SUV and review any available surveillance footage from nearby Regency Parkway properties.
What legal rights do grieving families have in North Carolina?
When a pedestrian is killed, surviving family members face immediate emotional and financial burdens. A thorough investigation helps establish the facts necessary for any potential civil action.
Insurance adjusters often contact involved parties within days of a collision, before the full extent of the investigative findings are known.
North Carolina wrongful death statute
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Pedestrian collisions often hinge on visibility, lighting conditions, and roadway design. High-speed corridors frequently lack adequate crosswalks or protective infrastructure, creating dangerous environments for foot traffic, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "By securing nearby surveillance footage and conducting independent site inspections, legal counsel helps surviving relatives document dangerous conditions and preserve vital evidence."