GREENFIELD — A Needham man was sentenced to nine months in jail on Monday after pleading guilty to a charge of vehicular homicide by negligent operation in connection with a crash that killed an Athol woman on Route 2 in Gill last year.

Benoit Marande, 64, appeared in Greenfield District Court for a change of plea hearing. He must serve 30 days of his sentence in the Franklin County House of Correction with the rest suspended while on probation for two years. His license also was revoked for 15 years.

Tracy Matthews, 57, was killed on June 30, 2023, after the Chevrolet Cobalt she was operating on Route 2 near Barton Cove was struck head-on by a westbound Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible driven by Marande, who crossed the center line. Matthews was taken to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, where she was pronounced dead.

Seven of Matthews’ family members gave impact statements at Monday’s plea hearing.

“The commonwealth hopes the sentence today brings a measure of justice and closure to the Matthews family. The family was pleased that the court sentenced Mr. Marande to jail,” Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington said in a statement. “The commonwealth thanks the Massachusetts State Police and first responders for their efforts on the case.”

Concord defense attorney Dudley Goar, who represented Marande, had no comment for the Recorder.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.