Paul Pelosi, the 86-year-old husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, could face hit-and-run charges after allegedly striking a parked vehicle in Northern California’s wine country and leaving the scene before his car became disabled, authorities announced.
Details of the Friday Incident
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a crash in Yountville, California, where a witness observed a driver strike a parked car, briefly stop, then drive away from the scene. Deputies received a description of the suspect vehicle and its direction of travel. Shortly afterward, law enforcement located a brown convertible partially blocking a roadway with significant front-right damage consistent with the reported collision.
Deputies identified the driver as Paul Pelosi. According to the sheriff’s office press release, Pelosi acknowledged hitting something but claimed he did not know what he had struck. He continued driving until his vehicle became disabled and could no longer operate. A preliminary alcohol screening test showed no alcohol in his system at the time of the incident.
Response and Legal Proceedings
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office has referred the case to the Napa County District Attorney’s Office for review and potential prosecution. Pelosi was not arrested at the scene. A spokesperson for the Pelosi family stated that Paul Pelosi personally apologized to the vehicle owner and assured them he would accept responsibility for the damage. The spokesperson added that the former Speaker would not comment further on what they characterized as a private matter.
Previous Incidents and Context
This marks the second motor vehicle incident involving Paul Pelosi in Napa County within recent years. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence charges and received a five-day jail sentence. Beyond traffic incidents, Pelosi was the victim of a violent home invasion attack in 2024 when an intruder assaulted him with a hammer. The assailant, David DePape, subsequently received a 30-year federal prison sentence for that crime.
The hit-and-run investigation raises questions about driver responsibility and consequences for leaving accident scenes, particularly when elderly drivers are involved. California law requires drivers involved in collisions to stop and exchange information, regardless of whether injuries occurred. The district attorney’s office will determine whether to file formal charges based on the evidence gathered by investigators.