Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run driving and an unlawful turning movement in connection with a crash over the Fourth of July weekend. The Napa County District Attorney's office filed the charges on Friday.
Authorities reported that on July 3, the 86-year-old Pelosi struck a parked vehicle with his brown convertible on the 6700 block of Yount Street in Yountville around 2:30 p.m. A witness alerted authorities, reporting that a vehicle had collided with the rear of a parked car on the shoulder, causing significant damage, before driving away. The witness directed deputies to a vehicle that had stopped partially blocking the roadway on Yountville Cross Road. Deputies found Pelosi's car with substantial damage to its front right side.
Pelosi initially told officers he had struck something but was unaware of what he had hit. His vehicle became disabled and stopped working after the collision.
Alcohol was determined not to be a factor in the crash. A preliminary alcohol screening test administered to Pelosi registered a blood alcohol level of 0.00, and therefore, driving under the influence was ruled out, according to police.
A spokesperson for the Pelosis released a statement indicating that Paul Pelosi had personally apologized to the owner of the damaged vehicle and assured them he would take responsibility for the repairs. A representative for Nancy Pelosi stated that the Speaker would not comment further on the private matter.
This incident follows a May 2022 arrest for driving under the influence. In that instance, the then-82-year-old Pelosi pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury. He was sentenced in August 2022 to five days in jail, ordered to pay $6,800 in fines and restitution, complete a DUI program, and serve three years of probation. He had been driving his Porsche after leaving a dinner when he attempted to cross State Route 29 and collided with another vehicle. His blood alcohol content was measured at 0.082% at that time.
Records also indicate two minor traffic infractions for Pelosi in 2011: running a red light and veering over the center line.
An incident from Pelosi's youth involved a traffic accident in February 1957. While driving, his sports car reportedly overturned, resulting in the death of his 19-year-old brother, David, who was a passenger. Pelosi, then 16, was cited for misdemeanor manslaughter but was later exonerated by a coroner's jury. Reports from the time suggest his brother had urged him to drive slower before the crash.