Woodburn, Oregon — A former emergency room physician in Oregon has been sentenced to prison after prosecutors said he struck a pedestrian with his SUV, drove away from the scene, and continued on to work a hospital shift just minutes later.
The case has sparked outrage due to the doctor’s profession and the disturbing details surrounding the fatal crash.
Doctor Sentenced in Fatal Hit-and-Run Case
On Tuesday, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Courtland Geyer ordered Dr. Kenneth Kolarsky, 59, to serve 13 months in a state correctional facility in connection with the death of 44-year-old Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza.
Kolarsky had previously pleaded guilty on April 21 to one count of attempted failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons.
Following his prison sentence, the former physician will also be required to complete three years of supervised release.
During sentencing, Judge Geyer sharply criticized Kolarsky’s actions after the crash.
According to reports, the judge condemned the doctor for leaving a “community member fallen and in the dark” and acting with an “absence of dignity.”
Victim Struck While Crossing Highway
The deadly incident occurred on the night of Dec. 26, 2024, as Kolarsky drove from his Portland home to Silverton Hospital, where he was scheduled to work.
Prosecutors said Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza had activated crosswalk safety lights before crossing Highway 99E in Woodburn.
Investigators allege Kolarsky struck Hernandez-Mendoza with his SUV, then drove around the unconscious victim instead of stopping to help.
Shockingly, surveillance footage reportedly showed the doctor arriving at the hospital roughly 20 minutes later and working a full overnight shift.
Hernandez-Mendoza suffered devastating injuries, including a broken neck and pelvis, and later died during emergency surgery the next day.
Prosecutors Say Leaving the Scene Led to Charges
Authorities acknowledged that poor weather conditions and the victim’s dark clothing may have contributed to the initial collision.
However, prosecutors stressed that the criminal aspect of the case centered on Kolarsky’s alleged decision to flee.
“If the defendant had stayed on scene, there would have been no charges,” Deputy District Attorney Tyler Hopkins told the court.
That statement became one of the most talked-about moments during the proceedings, emphasizing how the case escalated after the crash itself.
Investigators Allege Attempted Cover-Up
According to prosecutors, Kolarsky later took steps to conceal damage to the SUV involved in the collision.
Authorities claim the physician’s girlfriend drove the damaged vehicle to Minnesota and later claimed she struck a deer.
Investigators also alleged Kolarsky paid cash to repair a dent reportedly “about the size of a person.”
Detectives eventually connected the SUV to the fatal crash using surveillance footage before arresting the doctor in May 2025.
Defense Blamed Exhaustion and “Brain Fog”
Court filings revealed that Kolarsky’s defense team argued his actions were influenced by severe exhaustion and a previously undiagnosed medical condition.
His attorneys reportedly cited “brain fog” caused by a ferritin deficiency combined with repeated work shifts.
Kolarsky addressed the court directly and expressed remorse over the incident.
“I’m ashamed and I’m disappointed in the decision I made that day,” he said during sentencing.
Medical License Inactive After Case
Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy highlighted the disturbing irony of the situation, stating it was “especially offensive when it is committed by a professional who takes an oath to ‘do no harm.’”
Kolarsky’s medical license has reportedly remained inactive since June 2025 following allegations of “unprofessional or dishonorable conduct.”
The former doctor also settled a civil lawsuit filed by the victim’s estate for $300,000.
Following the hearing, Kolarsky immediately began serving his prison sentence.
Do you think professionals in positions of public trust should face harsher penalties in cases like this? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
