An Oregon emergency physician has been sentenced to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to failing to provide assistance to a pedestrian he struck in a hit-and-run incident. Kenneth Kolarsky, 59, faced the court after his actions led to the tragic death of 41-year-old Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza on December 26, 2024.
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The Marion County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Kolarsky was charged with attempted failure to perform duties of a driver to an injured person. Following the incident, he fled the scene without rendering any aid to the victim, compounding the tragedy of a night that would ultimately end in a loss of life.
According to prosecutorial statements, Hernandez-Mendoza had been crossing the road at the time of the collision, with the safety light at the crosswalk activated. After hitting the victim, Kolarsky allegedly halted his vehicle momentarily before driving away, navigating around Hernandez-Mendoza’s unconscious body as he left the scene. Although Hernandez-Mendoza was still alive when Kolarsky departed, his condition deteriorated significantly due to the severity of his injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the crash were grim. Hernandez-Mendoza suffered multiple fractures, including serious injuries to his cervical vertebrae and pelvis. Tragically, during an emergency surgery aimed at addressing his internal injuries, doctors were unable to halt the bleeding of his spleen, which ultimately led to his death.
Kolarsky was arrested on May 17, 2025, after investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the area, which pinpointed him as the driver involved in the crash. Reports indicate that Kolarsky was en route to Silverton Hospital from his home in Portland when the fatal accident occurred.
The victim’s daughter, Kimberly Hernandez, expressed her heartbreak over her father’s death and the circumstances surrounding it. In an interview following the incident, she stated, “This is someone we’re supposed to trust and sometimes put our lives in his hands, and in that moment, I think he had my dad’s life in his hands but he just made the wrong choice. I could have my father right now.” Kimberly also shared that her father’s death came merely two days before he was set to meet her newborn son for the first time.
In the aftermath of their loss, Kimberly launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with repatriating her father’s body back to Mexico for burial. The family’s deep sense of loss was compounded not only by the suddenness of the tragedy but also by the missed opportunity for familial bonding and connection.
During the court proceedings, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy condemned Kolarsky’s actions. Murphy stated, “Regardless of why the accident occurred, to leave a scene after striking someone with your vehicle is a callous disregard for human life. That’s intolerable, and especially offensive when it is committed by a professional who takes an oath to ‘do no harm.'”
In addition to the prison sentence, Kolarsky will face 36 months of post-prison supervision, as the court aims to address the serious nature of his actions. This case highlights the critical importance of first responders and medical professionals not only adhering to their ethical responsibilities but also recognising the significance of providing aid in the face of emergencies.
As communities come to terms with the loss of life and the legal ramifications following such tragic incidents, the emphasis continues to be placed on accountability and compassion towards victims of road traffic collisions. The Hernandez family’s plight serves as a poignant reminder of the real-life consequences of negligence and the lasting impact on loved ones left behind.