Man incompetent to stand trial in fatality

A judge has ruled that a developmentally disabled Beverly man who struck and killed a pedestrian with his car is not competent to stand trial. Prosecutors allege that Scott Soreff, 39, drove home after striking Valentin Macario-Lopez, 28, in November 2008. Macario-Lopez suffered head trauma and other injuries and died a few hours later. Police say that at the time of the accident Soreff was on at least five medications for treatment of ailments including autism and bipolar disorder. A Salem Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors had not shown that Soreff “possesses a reasonable degree of rational understanding, and a factual understanding’’ of the proceedings. The Salem News reported that Soreff’s defense wants all charges dismissed. Prosecutors want the case to remain open to ensure that Soreff does not drive again.