Former UNC women’s basketball head coach Sylvia Hatchell pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection to a fatal traffic collision.

According to CBS 17, Hatchell filed the plea, guilty of a misdemeanor death by motor vehicle charge, on Tuesday for her part in a collision with an elderly woman in January. The report said the 68 year-old former coach received a 30-day suspended sentence and six months of unsupervised probation. In addition, Hatchell was ordered to pay a $150 fine and must pay $190 in court costs.

On December 30, authorities cited Hatchell for an incident in the parking lot of 6118 Farrington Road, near an O2 Fitness Center. According to investigators, 89-year-old Betty Colb was hit by a turning vehicle coming into the parking lot. Colb’s head struck the pavement, causing her to die days later. At the time, police cited Hatchell with misdemeanor death by vehicle and unsafe movement violation.

Hatchell resigned from her position at UNC in 2019 amid a review of the women’s basketball program. The review, which was conducted by Charlotte-based firm Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, found that Hatchell made comments that were racially insensitive and players were frustrated with perceived influence from the coaching staff regarding medical issues.

Hatchell coached at UNC for 33 years.

Photo via Elliott Rubin.

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