Western Kentucky men’s golf coach Phillip Hatchett was killed Sunday morning in Logan County after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle with other cyclists. He was 55.

According to the Logan County Sheriff’s Department, Hatchett was part of a group of six cyclists traveling west on U.S. 68 in the emergency lane at the 5-mile marker.

Logan County deputies learned that Robert D. Stokes, 27, of Elkton, was driving a 1995 Jeep Cherokee west on U.S. 68 at 7:24 a.m. Sunday. Stokes told deputies he collided with the rear bicycle in the group, riden by Hatchett, before he could check his mirrors and get over into the left lane.

Tire marks indicated that the rear bicycle was traveling on the white fog line at the time of impact, according to the sheriff’s department. Hatchett was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Our hearts are broken following the tragic passing of Phillip Hatchett,” WKU athletic director Todd Stewart said in a news release. “He was an outstanding individual in every respect, a kind soul liked and respected by all and someone who cared deeply for his players whom he considered family.

“Phillip exhibited pure class in everything he did. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Beth, and the entire Hatchett family.”

Three other cyclists were also injured in the incident, according to the sheriff’s department: Morris Lynn Kisselbaugh, 62, Phillip C. Christmas, 28, and Patrick L. Christmas, 26, all of Russellville. The other two cyclists in the group were not injured.

The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s department.

Hatchett, a 1985 graduate of WKU and four-year letterman for the men’s golf program, spent eight seasons as head coach of the program and led a resurgence in recent years since taking over in 2010.

WKU recorded five top-five performances as a team in 2017-18 with two 6-under outings that produced 858 totals. The Hilltoppers finished the season with their best conference tournament round since 2008.

In 2017-18, Hatchett’s top individual player, Billy Tom Sargent, was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team and became the second Hilltopper to qualify for a NCAA Regional as an individual, and the first since 2008. He also tied for 11th in the 2018 Conference USA Championship – the best individual conference finish for WKU since 2010.

Education took an even greater role in Hatchett’s program, and in 2012-13, 2016-17, and 2017-18, his teams earned the men’s sport program Academic Team of the Year awards for posting the top cumulative grade point average among all WKU men’s sport programs.

Two individuals were also named WKU’s Male Academic Student-Athlete of the Year during his tenure.

Hatchett was also a valuable member in the golf community in south-central Kentucky, where he was a regular on the courses, fostering the development of youth golf in the area.

In 2008, he created the Phillip Hatchett Junior Golf Camp in an effort to stimulate the game’s growth, and the camp has mentored more than 200 young golfers since its inception.