Former UNC women's coach Sylvia Hatchell cited in death of elderly pedestrian

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A pedestrian struck by a car driven by former UNC-Chapel Hill women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell has died, Durham Police said Friday.

Police said the incident happened Monday in the parking lot of 6118 Farrington Road near O2 Fitness Center. Hatchell made a slow left turn in the parking lot and struck 89-year-old Betty Colby, causing her to fall backward and strike her head on the pavement.

Colby died Wednesday, police said.

Investigators said neither speed nor impairment were factors in the crash.

Hatchell, 67, was cited Friday with misdemeanor death by vehicle and unsafe movement violation.

"As the public is already aware, I was involved in an accident last week when leaving the parking lot of my local fitness studio. Very sadly, Mrs. Betty Colby, the other person involved, has passed away. This is a devastating tragedy and I cannot pretend to imagine what Mrs. Colby's family is going through. My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to them and I pray that they be shown God's grace during this difficult time. I will continue to cooperate with the Durham County authorities in every way possible and ask that the news media respect the Colby family's privacy in their time of grief."

Hatchell coached at UNC from 1986 until her resignation in April 2019.