Police Charge Driver in Cary Jogger's Death

Cary, N.C. — Cary police have charged the driver of a car that struck and killed a woman while she was jogging last week.

Beverly Alice Castelli, 51, of 1311 Doylin Drive, faces one count of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

Maria Soledad Ponce-Perez, 27, was jogging near the intersection of Reedy Creek Road and Dynasty Drive on Oct. 23 when she was hit. She died at a local hospital.

Ponce-Perez was not carrying identification, which prompted Cary police to ask for the public's help in identifying her. Investigators were able to confirm her identity with U.S. immigration officials.

"We weighed all the facts," Cary police Lt. Mark Parker said. "There were no aggravating facts, such as alcohol use or excessive speed, so the misdemeanor death by motor vehicle law encompasses the unintentional death or injury to a person or property."

A misdemeanor death by motor vehicle charge carries up to 45 days of community service and a fine at the discretion of the court.