An Oregon doctor who once worked in emergency medicine has been sentenced to prison after prosecutors said he struck a pedestrian with his vehicle, left the injured man on the road, and drove away without offering help.
Oregon Doctor Sentenced in Fatal Hit-and-Run Case
A court in Oregon has sentenced 59-year-old Kenneth Kolarsky to 13 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in a fatal hit-and-run case that shocked the local community.
Kolarsky, a former pediatric emergency physician, admitted to attempted failure to perform duties of a driver to an injured person following the deadly crash.
The case drew major attention because of Kolarsky’s medical background and the fact that he was on his way to work at the time of the incident.
Pedestrian Fatally Struck While Crossing Street
According to prosecutors, the victim, Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza, was crossing a street in Woodburn on December 26, 2024.
Officials said Hernandez-Mendoza had activated a pedestrian safety light before crossing when Kolarsky’s vehicle struck him.
Investigators said the victim was still alive immediately after the crash.
Driver Allegedly Went Around Victim and Fled
Prosecutors stated that after hitting Hernandez-Mendoza, Kolarsky briefly stopped his vehicle but then allegedly drove around the victim’s unconscious body lying in the roadway before fleeing the scene.
Roughly 20 minutes later, investigators said Kolarsky arrived at his workplace, where he was scheduled to begin his shift at a hospital.
Authorities later confirmed he had been driving from the Portland area to work when the crash occurred.
Victim Died During Emergency Surgery
Hernandez-Mendoza suffered severe injuries, including fractures to his cervical vertebra and pelvic region.
Doctors attempted emergency surgery, but he died after medical teams were unable to stop internal bleeding from his spleen.
The tragedy deeply affected his family, especially his daughter, who revealed her father died just two days before he was supposed to meet his grandson for the first time.
Investigation Led to Doctor’s Arrest
Investigators identified Kolarsky after reviewing surveillance footage from the area near the crash scene.
He was arrested on May 17, 2025, and later pleaded guilty in court.
Court Orders Prison and Supervision
Along with 13 months in prison, Kolarsky was also sentenced to:
- 36 months of post-prison supervision
- Criminal penalties related to leaving an injured victim behind
Prosecutors strongly criticized his actions, saying leaving an injured person on the road showed a serious disregard for human life.
Case Raises Ethical Questions
Because Kolarsky worked as an emergency physician—someone trained to save lives—the case has sparked strong public reaction.
Many people questioned how a medical professional, bound by the duty to help others, could allegedly leave an injured victim without assistance.
The case has become one of Oregon’s most talked-about crime stories, highlighting not only the legal consequences of hit-and-run crashes but also the moral responsibility that comes with positions of public trust.
