Portland Doctor Sentenced to Prison in Hit and Run Death of Woodburn Man

Salem, Ore. — A former emergency room physician who fled the scene after fatally striking a pedestrian in Woodburn was sentenced Tuesday to 13 months in prison and 36 months of post-prison supervision in Marion County Circuit Court.

Judge Courtland Geyer sentenced 59-year-old Kenneth Kolarsky following his guilty plea to Attempted Failure to Perform Duties of Driver to an Injured Person in Marion County Circuit Court Case 25CR25205.

The case stems from the Dec. 26, 2024, death of Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza, who was crossing North Pacific Highway near Williams Avenue in Woodburn when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Kolarsky.

According to prosecutors, Hernandez-Mendoza had activated the crosswalk safety lights before entering the roadway. After the collision, investigators said Kolarsky stopped his vehicle, drove around the unconscious victim lying in the roadway, and fled the scene.

Hernandez-Mendoza was transported to Salem Hospital with severe injuries, including fractures to his cervical vertebra and pelvis. He later died during emergency surgery after doctors were unable to stop bleeding from his spleen.

Woodburn police detectives reviewed surveillance footage from dozens of nearby homes and businesses to identify the suspect vehicle and track Kolarsky’s movements after the crash. Investigators said video evidence showed Kolarsky arriving at his workplace approximately 20 minutes after the collision. At the time, he was employed as an emergency room physician and was traveling from the Portland area to Silverton Hospital for work.

Following a lengthy investigation, Woodburn police arrested Kolarsky on May 17, 2025.

Prosecutors noted that the criminal charges focused solely on Kolarsky leaving the scene of the crash. Authorities said there was insufficient evidence to determine the collision itself was caused by criminal conduct.

“Regardless of why the accident occurred, to leave a scene after striking someone with your vehicle is a callous disregard for human life,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy said. “That’s intolerable, and especially offensive when it is committed by a professional who takes an oath to ‘do no harm.’”

Deputy District Attorney Tyler Hopkins prosecuted the case and argued for an 18-month prison sentence. Prosecutors cited Kolarsky’s attempts to repair his vehicle using cash and what they described as dishonesty during the investigation as aggravating factors. Kolarsky had no prior criminal history, and sentencing guidelines called for a presumptive prison term of 16 to 18 months.

During sentencing, Judge Geyer said Kolarsky left “a community member fallen and in the dark” and created an “absence of dignity.” The judge ultimately imposed a downward durational departure, sentencing Kolarsky to 13 months in the Department of Corrections and 26 months of post-prison supervision.

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office credited the Woodburn Police Department for its investigation, specifically recognizing Detectives Devoe and Ellis, along with Lt. Stewart, for coordinating with agencies in multiple jurisdictions to solve the case.