Maria Sarantopoulos pled guilty on Friday to leaving the scene of an accident, following the September 2000 death of fellow NIU student Nicole Murawski.

Prosecuting attorney Clint Hull said Sarantopoulos, 23, of Loves Park pled down to the Class 2 felony after a grand jury upped the charges in October. She originally was charged with both leaving the accident and reckless homicide after police say her car struck Murawski on Annie Glidden Road north of Crane Drive shortly after 1 a.m. on Sept. 15, 2000.

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.

The reckless homicide charge was added after prosecution found evidence of alcohol in Sarantopoulos’ blood the night of the accident. Hull said the guilty plea came after additional police follow-up work had been done and more witnesses had been interviewed.

Sarantopoulos’ sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 1. The Class 2 felony carries the possibility of probation or three to 14 years in prison.