Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi's husband, involved in hit-and-run in Napa Valley; faces potential misdemeanor charges
Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was involved in a hit-and-run accident Friday in California's wine country, leaving a parked vehicle with “major damage,” according to the Napa County Sheriff's Office. The 86-year-old could face misdemeanor charges for fleeing the scene, officials said Saturday.
The incident occurred in Yountville, a small town in Napa Valley. Pelosi was driving a brown convertible when he struck a legally parked car on the side of the road, briefly stopped, and then drove away, deputies reported. There were no injuries.
A witness called 911 after seeing the crash. Officers later found Pelosi about a quarter-mile away on a nearby road, with severe damage to the front of his car. He told deputies he knew he had hit something but was unsure when or what caused the damage, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
Authorities confirmed that Pelosi had no alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. As a precaution, the sheriff's office referred him to the California Department of Motor Vehicles for a review process that determines if he is fit to continue driving — a standard procedure for elderly drivers, officials noted.
Because no one was physically injured, Pelosi was not arrested. However, the sheriff's office recommended that he be charged with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident, a decision that now rests with the local district attorney.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Pelosi family said: “Mr. Paul Pelosi has personally apologized to the owner of the vehicle and assured them that he would take responsibility for the damage. Speaker Pelosi will not be commenting further on this private matter.”
The hit-and-run comes less than two years after Pelosi pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges in Napa County in 2022. He was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation, though he served only two days and received credit for good conduct. As part of his probation, he completed a three-month drunk-driving education course, installed an ignition interlock device in his car, and paid roughly $7,000 in victim restitution and fines.
Separately, in late 2022, Pelosi was violently attacked at the couple's San Francisco home by an intruder wielding a hammer. The assailant, David DePape, was sentenced in 2024 to 30 years in federal prison for the assault, which left Pelosi with a skull fracture and other injuries.
While Friday's incident is far less severe, it adds to the public scrutiny surrounding the Pelosi family. Legal experts say the hit-and-run charge, if pursued, could result in fines and potential probation violations given his prior record, though the lack of injuries may work in his favor. For now, the case is under review by the Napa County District Attorney's office.