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    • Carolina Beach officer pleads no contest in death of Wilmington pedestrian
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    Carolina Beach officer pleads no contest in death of Wilmington pedestrian

    Online Niel Posted on

    A Carolina Beach police officer charged in connection with the death of a 40-year-old pedestrian has pleaded not guilty to two charges.

    Initial, Cavin Sydes was charged with misdemeanor death by a vehicle, reckless driving and speeding in connection with an incident in March 2024. As of early November, the misdemeanor death by motor vehicle charge was dismissed by the state.

    “On November 6, 2024, the state accepted a voluntary dismissal of the charge of death by motor vehicle in the state (versus) Cavin Sydes,” an email from the New Hanover County District Attorney’s office said. “The dismissal was as a result of a negotiated plea offer in which Mr. Sydes pleaded no contest to Reckless Driving and responsible for Speeding 59 in a 45 (mile per hour) zone.”

    Previous coverage: Carolina Beach police officer faces charges after death of Wilmington pedestrian

    The plea follows a March 9 incident in which officers with the Wilmington Police Department responded to the 100 block of S. College Road around 4:30 a.m. for a report of a pedestrian-vehicle collision. The pedestrian, identified as Steven Barlok, died from his injuries.

    Investigations revealed that while the pedestrian was in the roadway, Sydes, the driver of the vehicle, was speeding at the time of the incident, according to a previous news release from the Wilmington Police Department.

    “The state’s offer came after a thorough review of the facts and discussions between Assistant District Attorney Ward Coleman and the victim’s family members, both directly and through their legal counsel,” the New Hanover County District Attorney’s email said.

    The state did not provide further comment on the grounds that there is a civil matter pending between the parties.

    In North Carolina, a no contest plea means the defendant neither admits nor contests the charges against them, but carries the same sentencing consequences as a guilty plea, according to Browning & Long PLLC Attorneys at Lawa law firm in Charlotte. However, a plea of ​​no contest cannot be raised against the defendant in civil court.

    Sydes, originally hired by the Carolina Beach Police Department in February 2022, was placed on administrative leave immediately after the collision.

    Sgt. Colby Edens of the Carolina Beach Police Department confirmed that Sydes has been reinstated from administrative leave and is actively working with the department.

    Online Niel
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