Oregon Doctor Sentenced for Fatal Hit-and-Run

An emergency room doctor in Oregon has received a prison sentence of over a year for striking a man with his car and abandoning the scene, authorities reported.

Kenneth Kolarski, 59, was sentenced to 13 months in prison by Judge Cortland Geyer regarding the death of 44-year-old Nicholas Hernandez-Mendoza, which occurred in December 2024.

Prosecutors stated that Kolarski hit Hernandez-Mendoza while he was walking in a crosswalk along North Pacific Highway in Woodburn on the evening of December 26, 2024.

Following the collision, Kolarski stopped his vehicle briefly but then fled the scene, running past the unconscious man, officials said.

Surveillance footage captured him walking toward Silverton Hospital about 20 minutes later, despite his profession being one focused on saving lives.

Meanwhile, Hernandez-Mendoza was taken to Salem Hospital with significant injuries, including a fractured neck and pelvis. Unfortunately, he succumbed during emergency surgery due to complications.

Kolarski was arrested in May 2025 after thorough investigative work by authorities.

Earlier on the day of the accident, Hernandez-Mendoza had planned to meet his newborn grandson for the first time. Tragically, that meeting never happened.

A GoFundMe was established to help return his body to Mexico for family members to mourn together.

“What hurt the most was not being able to see my grandson,” said Hernandez’s daughter after Kolarski’s arrest.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy expressed the severity of Kolarski’s actions, stating that leaving the scene of a collision shows a blatant disregard for human life, particularly from someone bound by a medical oath to do no harm.

In addition to his prison time, Kolarski will also undergo 36 months of post-prison supervision following his release.