Paul Pelosi, the 86-year-old husband of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, faces a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge after allegedly crashing into a parked vehicle and fleeing the scene in early July, the Napa County District Attorney announced on Friday.
Incident Details and Charges
The incident occurred on July 3 in Yountville, California. No passengers were in the struck car, but the vehicle sustained "major" damage, authorities said. Pelosi has also been charged with an infraction of making an unlawful turn. His arraignment is scheduled for August 14. A spokesperson for the Pelosi family stated that Paul apologized to the vehicle's owner and is assuming responsibility for the damage.
Prior Traffic Violations
Public records show Pelosi has a history of traffic infractions in California dating back to at least 2011, including citations for failing to stop at a red light, a stop sign violation, and driving to the left of double yellow lines. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) charges after a crash in Napa County, where officers observed slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol. He was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation.
No DUI Charge This Time
The Napa County District Attorney's office stated that Pelosi is not being charged with a DUI because no evidence indicates he was impaired. "The district attorney's office has an ethical obligation to file only those charges that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt based on the available evidence," the office said in a statement.
Body Cam Footage Withheld
Body camera footage of the alleged hit-and-run will not be released to the public until the case concludes to preserve Pelosi's right to a fair trial, according to the DA's office.
