Paul Pelosi, the 86-year-old husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run after his convertible struck an unoccupied parked car in Yountville, California on July 3. As Trending Politics reported, the parked car was reportedly a Tesla, which means somewhere a Tesla owner is dealing with both body shop estimates and the existential crisis of owning a car that couldn't even dodge trouble while sitting still.
An eyewitness called authorities around 2:30 p.m. after watching Pelosi's convertible nail the parked vehicle, cause significant damage, briefly stop, and then drive off. Deputies from the Napa County Sheriff's Office responded and later found Pelosi's car about half a mile away, disabled and sporting significant front-right damage. When you hit something hard enough to disable your own car half a mile later, you definitely hit something.
During the investigation, Pelosi told authorities he knew he had hit something but was unsure what it was and said he intended to return to leave his information. A preliminary screening showed no alcohol in his system, so at least this time around, that was not a factor.
Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced the charges on July 17. Pelosi faces one misdemeanor count of hit-and-run for failing to stop and provide his license and registration after a collision causing property damage, plus an infraction for making an unlawful turn. The misdemeanor carries a maximum of six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. He is scheduled to appear in Napa County Superior Court on August 14.
The DA's office made a point of noting they don't typically issue press releases for misdemeanor hit-and-runs involving only property damage but made an exception due to public and media interest. Prosecutors may request a behind-the-wheel driving evaluation and could seek probation conditions including driving restrictions. Maximum probation for the charge is one year.
A Pelosi family spokesperson said, "Mr. Paul Pelosi has personally apologized to the owner of the vehicle and assured them that he would take responsibility for the damage to their vehicle. Speaker Pelosi will not be commenting further on this private matter."
Here is where the story gets a little more colorful. This is the second time in recent years that Paul Pelosi has faced charges from a traffic incident in Napa County. Back on May 28, 2022, he was involved in a crash in the Oakville area while driving a Porsche. His blood alcohol concentration came back at 0.082%. He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence causing injury and was sentenced to three years of summary probation, five days in jail, fines and restitution totaling over $6,800, a three-month DUI program, and installation of an ignition interlock device for one year.
So to recap the Pelosi automotive highlight reel: a DUI crash in a Porsche, and now a hit-and-run in a convertible. At this point, someone in the Pelosi household might want to consider a driver. Or at least a car with fewer blind spots than apparently every vehicle Paul Pelosi has ever owned.
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