Full Breakdown
Oregon ER Doctor Sentenced for Fatal Hit-and-Run After Leaving Pedestrian and Reporting to Work
5/14/2026, 8:13:41 PM
Fatal Hit-and-Run in Woodburn
On December 26, 2024, emergency-room physician Kenneth Kolarsky, 59, was driving north on North Pacific Highway near Williams Avenue in Woodburn, Oregon, when he struck pedestrian Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza, who had activated the crosswalk safety lights before crossing. After the collision, Kolarsky stopped, drove his vehicle around the unconscious man, and left the scene. Hernandez-Mendoza was found on the roadway, transported to Salem Hospital, and died during emergency surgery from a fractured cervical vertebra, a fractured pelvis, and uncontrolled internal bleeding.
Legal Proceedings and Official Responses
Woodburn police identified Kolarsky’s vehicle through surveillance video and arrested him on May 17, 2025. Prosecutors charged him with attempted failure to perform the duties of a driver to an injured person, a hit-and-run offense, because evidence was insufficient to prove criminal negligence in causing the crash. Kolarsky pleaded guilty and was sentenced by Marion County Judge Courtland Geyer to 13 months in state prison, three years of supervised release, and 36 months of probation. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office described the incident as a tragic loss of a community member.
Criticism and Prosecutorial Perspective
Prosecutors sought an 18-month term, arguing that Kolarsky’s attempt to repair his vehicle and alleged dishonesty during the investigation warranted a harsher penalty. They emphasized that his departure from the scene violated the ethical standards of a physician who has sworn to ‘do no harm.’ The sentence was presented as a compromise given the limited charge.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Regardless of why the accident occurred, to leave a scene after striking someone with your vehicle is a callous disregard for human life” — Brendan Murphy, Chief Deputy District Attorney
- “That’s intolerable, and especially offensive when it is committed by a professional who takes an oath to ‘do no harm’” — Brendan Murphy, Chief Deputy District Attorney
- “a community member fallen and in the dark” — Courtland Geyer, Judge
- “insufficient evidence” — Marion County Prosecutor’s Office
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The prosecution could not charge Kolarsky with causing the crash because investigators lacked sufficient evidence to determine whether his driving directly caused the collision. As a result, the case proceeded only on the hit-and-run charge, leaving the exact cause of the pedestrian’s death unresolved.
Future Supervision
After serving his prison term, Kolarsky will be placed on three years of supervised release and 36 months of probation, during which he must comply with conditions set by the court and the Oregon Department of Corrections. The supervision will be overseen by the Oregon Department of Corrections. No additional criminal actions are pending as of the sentencing date.
