Paul Pelosi, 86, hit a parked car in Yountville, California on July 3, 2026, briefly stopped, and then drove away. The Napa County Sheriff's Office confirmed this happened and recommended charging him with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene, according to The Guardian.

A witness saw the collision and called 911. Sheriff's deputies found Pelosi about a quarter mile away. His brown convertible had visible damage to the front end. No one was hurt. When officers asked him about it, Pelosi said he knew he had hit something but wasn't sure when it happened or what caused the damage. A blood-alcohol test came back negative.

Pelosi was not arrested. The Sheriff's Office sent the case to the Napa County District Attorney, who will decide whether to charge him. Separately, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reviewing whether he is safe to drive — a standard step the DMV takes with older drivers after certain incidents. A spokesperson for the Pelosi family said he called the car's owner, apologized, and promised to pay for the repairs.

This is the second time in four years that Paul Pelosi has faced legal trouble involving a vehicle. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DUI charge — that means driving under the influence of alcohol. He spent five days in jail and was on probation for three years. That incident received a lot of public attention partly because his wife, Nancy Pelosi, is a longtime member of Congress. She announced in 2026 that she will leave the House of Representatives in early 2027 after serving for more than 30 years.

The main difference between the two incidents is straightforward: no alcohol was involved this time. A hit-and-run charge is still serious in California, but it falls into a different legal category than drunk driving. Whether the District Attorney actually files charges remains an open question as of July 5, 2026.

The DMV review deserves attention on its own. California's re-examination program — triggered when the state, courts, or police flag a driver — can lead to a driving test, a medical evaluation, or a suspended license. At 86, Pelosi's ability to drive is now officially under state review. This practical consequence could matter more than any misdemeanor charge that may or may not be filed.