MASSENA -- State police are seeking the public’s help in investigating a Dec. 4 car accident and the death of a Border Patrol agent’s wife.

On that date at around 10:30 p.m. on county Route 37, Ashley B. McDonald, 33, of Lyon Mountain was lying in the roadway near Taylor Road and around 10:30 p.m. was struck by a car driven by Megan M. Phelix, 32, of Massena.

McDonald subsequently died, according to troopers.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation Inv. Chris Gallagher says police aren’t sure if any foul play was involved.

“We don’t know at this point. We’re asking for the public’s help,” Gallagher said.

He deferred further questions to state police public information officials in Ray Brook, who did not immediately return a request for comment.

Troopers ask anyone who was in the area of county Route 37 and Taylor Road between 10:15 and 10:45 p.m. Dec. 4 to call 379-0012.

McDonald’s husband, Bryan C. McDonald, 34, a U.S. Border Patrol agent, has been charged with two felonies for allegedly assaulting an elderly couple that happened upon the scene and stopped to help.

Police say he punched a 66-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman causing facial injuries, including contusions and bruising. They were treated at Massena Memorial Hospital and released, police said.

McDonald is charged with two counts of second-degree assault, felony. The charges are felonies because of the age of the victims. State law upgrades and assault charge to a felony when the victim is more than 65 years old and the perpetrator is more than 10 years their junior.

He is on administrative leave from his post as a federal agent, pending the case’s outcome.

“The Swanton Sector Border Patrol is fully cooperating with the investigation,” Benson-Fuller said, deferring further comment to New York State Police and the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office.

She did not say if he is still receiving pay while suspended and has not replied to a request for clarification.

According to statements given to police, McDonald struck Richard F. Ladue, 66 and Carol Ladue, 65, both of Massena.

Carol Ladue gave a statement to police saying she and her husband were returning home from the Massena Community Center in separate cars on county Route 37 Dec. 4 around 10:30 p.m. She said she was flagged down upon arriving at the scene and as she approached after leaving her car, McDonald started yelling at her and punched her in the face, according to her statement. Inv. Nick Arcadi filed a document with the court saying McDonald also kicked Ladue while she was down.

Richard Ladue arrived shortly after his wife, he told police. He got out of his vehicle and McDonald started yelling at him and struck him in the face, he told police. He said in his statement that he believed McDonald broke his nose.

Both Ladues sought treatment at Massena Memorial Hospital, court documents say.

McDonald was arraigned in Massena court before Town Justice Gerald Sharlow and released under supervision of the St. Lawrence County Probation Department.

He is to appear in Brasher Town Court Jan. 12.

The court issued orders of protection for the two victims.