Paul Pelosi faces possible misdemeanor after Napa hit-and-run
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office said Pelosi left after striking a parked car in Yountville; no injuries were reported.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been referred for a possible misdemeanor charge after a Friday collision in Napa County, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday. The incident places the 86-year-old under review by prosecutors and state motor vehicle officials after deputies said he drove away from the crash scene.
The sheriff’s office said Pelosi was driving a brown convertible in Yountville when he hit a car that was legally parked along the roadside. Authorities said no injuries were reported, but they described the parked vehicle as having major damage.
A witness who saw the collision called 911, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies later found Pelosi on a nearby road about a quarter-mile away, where his convertible had severe damage to its front end, the department said.
Pelosi told officers he knew he had hit something but did not know when it happened or what caused the damage to his own car, according to the sheriff’s office. The department said he had no alcohol in his system at the time of the crash.
The sheriff’s office said Pelosi was not arrested. Because no one was physically hurt, the department said it is recommending a misdemeanor allegation for leaving the scene of an accident.
Authorities also referred Pelosi to the California Department of Motor Vehicles to begin a review of whether he should continue driving, the sheriff’s office said. Officials described that process as common for elderly drivers.
A staffer for Rep. Nancy Pelosi did not respond Saturday afternoon to an emailed request for comment, Fortune and The Associated Press reported. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, served as House speaker and remains in Congress.
The Associated Press reported that Paul Pelosi pleaded guilty in 2022 to misdemeanor driving under the influence charges in Napa County. He was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation, though AP reported he served two days in jail, received good-conduct credit for two more days and was assigned the remaining day to a courthouse work program.
As part of that sentence, AP reported, Pelosi also had to attend a three-month drinking driver class, install an ignition interlock device, pay about $5,000 in restitution for medical bills and lost wages, and pay nearly $2,000 in fines. Later in 2022, AP reported, he was attacked and badly beaten with a hammer at the couple’s San Francisco home.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.