Today begins the first day of sentencing for Maria Sarantopoulos, a former NIU senior who pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident in the September 2000 death of fellow student Nicole Murawski.

Sarantopoulos, 23, of Loves Park, pled down to the Class 2 felony on Sept. 7 after a grand jury upped the charges just one month after the incident occurred.

Police originally charged her with both leaving the accident and reckless homicide after she reportedly struck Murawski on Annie Glidden Road, just north of Crane Drive after 1 a.m. on Sept. 15, 2000.

The reckless homicide charge was added following the introduction of evidence by the prosecution that alcohol was in Sarantopoulos’ blood the night of the incident.

Murawski, of Lockport, was a 21-year-old senior biology major at NIU. Witnesses say she was hit as she attempted to cross Annie Glidden Road.

Emergency personnel administered aid on the scene, but Murawski was pronounced dead shortly after transport to Kishwaukee Community Hospital.

Prosecutors said the guilty plea came after additional police follow-up work had been done and more witnesses had been interviewed. The sentencing hearing originally was scheduled for Oct. 1 but was continued to accommodate those involved with the case.

Sarantopoulos’ sentencing hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. today at the DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W. State St., Sycamore. The Class 2 felony carries the possibility of probation or three to 14 years in prison.