Paul Pelosi, the 86-year-old husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is under investigation over a hit-and-run in Napa County, California, authorities said. According to investigators, Pelosi struck a parked car with his convertible on Friday afternoon and left the scene, prompting a review by local law enforcement that could be referred to prosecutors.
Authorities said the crash unfolded on Friday afternoon in Napa County, where Pelosi was behind the wheel of a convertible when it collided with a car that was parked and unoccupied. Both vehicles were left with damage, according to the account provided by authorities, though no one was reported hurt in the collision.
Investigators said Pelosi briefly stopped after the impact but then drove away, continuing on until his own vehicle became disabled a short distance later. The circumstances of how he left the scene are central to the hit-and-run inquiry, which examines whether a driver failed to stop and exchange information after a crash that caused property damage.
A key finding, authorities said, was that neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash. That distinction is notable given the scrutiny that follows any incident involving a prominent political family, and investigators indicated that impairment had effectively been ruled out as they pieced together what happened.
Officials also pointed to Pelosi's age, noting his status as an elderly driver at 86 years old. Authorities said they intend to ask the state to reevaluate his driver's license, a step that can follow crashes involving older motorists and that focuses on a driver's continued fitness to be behind the wheel rather than on any criminal wrongdoing.
As is common with this type of lower-level offense, Pelosi was not taken into custody at the scene. Instead, authorities signaled that the matter would move through the standard process for a suspected hit-and-run, with the case reviewed by prosecutors who will decide whether to pursue any charge. No court date had been announced as the review got underway.
Paul Pelosi has drawn public attention over the years as the spouse of one of the most recognizable figures in American politics, and the latest episode quickly generated headlines even though it involved no injuries and a relatively minor damage claim. As the investigation continued, officials cautioned that their findings were preliminary and said further details could emerge once the review was complete.