An Oregon emergency room doctor, Kenneth Kolarsky, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for his involvement in a hit-and-run incident in 2024. The Marion County District Attorney's Office announced that Kolarsky, 59, pleaded guilty to attempted failure to perform the duties of a driver to an injured person

The incident occurred on December 26, 2024, when Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza, 44, was crossing North Pacific Highway in Woodburn, Oregon. Hernandez-Mendoza had activated the crosswalk safety lights when Kolarsky's car struck him. According to prosecutors, Kolarsky stopped briefly, drove around the unconscious man, and fled the scene. Hernandez-Mendoza was later taken to Salem Hospital, where he died during surgery due to severe injuries, including fractures in his cervical vertebra and pelvic area.

Authorities identified Kolarsky as the driver after reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras. He was arrested on May 17, 2025, and later pleaded guilty to the charges. Prosecutors argued for an 18-month sentence, citing Kolarsky's alleged attempts to repair his car and dishonesty during the investigation. However, Judge Courtland Geyer imposed a 13-month sentence, along with 36 months of post-prison supervision.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy criticized Kolarsky's actions, stating, "Regardless of why the accident occurred, to leave a scene after striking someone with your vehicle is a callous disregard for human life." The court noted that Kolarsky had no prior criminal history.

Hernandez-Mendoza's daughter, Kimberly, expressed her grief, noting that her father died just two days before he was to meet her son for the first time. A GoFundMe campaign was set up to send Hernandez-Mendoza's body back to Mexico for burial.

Terry Meiners