WILMINGTON — A man who once served as an assistant coach for UNCW’s women’s volleyball team now faces charges in a fatal Independence Day incident.
According to the Wilmington Police Department, 29-year-old Jeffrey Yasalonis has been arrested on the charge of felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death. He was given a $35,000 secured bond.
Yasalonis is connected to the incident that left a 43-year-old woman dead. WPD arrived at the 4100 block of Market Street after midnight on July 4 and found Melanie Degrazio deceased. Officers said the driver of the vehicle that struck the victim was identified.
According to UNCW, Yasalonis no longer works for the university; he was employed in June 2023 but it concluded on Dec. 17, 2024.
“As this is an active legal matter, we will not comment further in accordance with our policies and respect for the privacy of those involved,” a UNCW spokesperson told Port City Daily.
Before working for the university, Yasalonis was the assistant on the staff at Cape Fear Community College’s junior program and served as an assistant at Rider University in the 2020-21 season.
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