Topline: Family protests 8-month sentence for doctor in fatal Fresno hit-and-run.
Published: June 16, 2026 7:00 am ET
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Left: Dr. James Leonard Comazzi, Right: Juliana Ramos CNA,(via California Highway Patrol)
FRESNO, CA — A California cardiologist will serve eight months in jail for a February 2021 hit-and-run that killed a nurse assistant as she attempted to help a motorist at a highway crash scene.
James Comazzi, 72, received the sentence after pleading no contest to felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The plea means Comazzi accepted the conviction without admitting guilt.
The collision occurred around midnight on Feb. 10, 2021, on a state highway in Fresno. According to a statement by the California Highway Patrol, the driver of a Hyundai had been severely injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle.
Juliana Ramos, 26, drove up to the scene, exited her vehicle and went to assist the injured driver. Investigators said Comazzi drove his vehicle between Ramos’ stationary car and the Hyundai, striking and killing Ramos.
Comazzi, who worked as a cardiologist at Adventist Health Sonora, left the area without rendering aid to Ramos, police said. The state highway patrol arrested Comazzi in October 2021 following an eight-month investigation.
Ramos was a mother of three and a certified nurse assistant. The fatal collision occurred two days before her 27th birthday.
Her family stated in a GoFundMe profile that Ramos acted without hesitation to help the people involved in the initial accident.
At the sentencing hearing, family members expressed dissatisfaction with the length of the jail term. Ramos’ niece, Ivette Lopez, questioned how a medical professional could leave the scene of a fatal collision.
Lopez said Comazzi managed to escape arrest for eight months and questioned whether he felt remorse for the pain caused to the family, according to a report by television station ABC 30.
Court officials stated the eight-month sentence was based on Comazzi’s age and his lack of a prior criminal record.
Lopez questioned the reasoning during the hearing, asking if her aunt’s young age did not matter to the court, ABC 30 reported.
Comazzi spoke during the proceeding and acknowledged the profound brokenness his actions caused, according to the television report.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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California Cardiologist Sentenced to 8 Months in Jail for Hit-and-Run Death of Nurse Assistant
Family protests 8-month sentence for doctor in fatal Fresno hit-and-run.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 16, 2026 7:00 am ET
Left: Dr. James Leonard Comazzi, Right: Juliana Ramos CNA,(via California Highway Patrol)
FRESNO, CA — A California cardiologist will serve eight months in jail for a February 2021 hit-and-run that killed a nurse assistant as she attempted to help a motorist at a highway crash scene.
James Comazzi, 72, received the sentence after pleading no contest to felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The plea means Comazzi accepted the conviction without admitting guilt.
The collision occurred around midnight on Feb. 10, 2021, on a state highway in Fresno. According to a statement by the California Highway Patrol, the driver of a Hyundai had been severely injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle.
Juliana Ramos, 26, drove up to the scene, exited her vehicle and went to assist the injured driver. Investigators said Comazzi drove his vehicle between Ramos’ stationary car and the Hyundai, striking and killing Ramos.
Comazzi, who worked as a cardiologist at Adventist Health Sonora, left the area without rendering aid to Ramos, police said. The state highway patrol arrested Comazzi in October 2021 following an eight-month investigation.
Ramos was a mother of three and a certified nurse assistant. The fatal collision occurred two days before her 27th birthday.
Her family stated in a GoFundMe profile that Ramos acted without hesitation to help the people involved in the initial accident.
At the sentencing hearing, family members expressed dissatisfaction with the length of the jail term. Ramos’ niece, Ivette Lopez, questioned how a medical professional could leave the scene of a fatal collision.
Lopez said Comazzi managed to escape arrest for eight months and questioned whether he felt remorse for the pain caused to the family, according to a report by television station ABC 30.
Court officials stated the eight-month sentence was based on Comazzi’s age and his lack of a prior criminal record.
Lopez questioned the reasoning during the hearing, asking if her aunt’s young age did not matter to the court, ABC 30 reported.
Comazzi spoke during the proceeding and acknowledged the profound brokenness his actions caused, according to the television report.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
California Cardiologist Sentenced to 8 Months in Jail for Hit-and-Run Death of Nurse Assistant
Family protests 8-month sentence for doctor in fatal Fresno hit-and-run.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 16, 2026 7:00 am ET
Left: Dr. James Leonard Comazzi, Right: Juliana Ramos CNA,(via California Highway Patrol)
FRESNO, CA — A California cardiologist will serve eight months in jail for a February 2021 hit-and-run that killed a nurse assistant as she attempted to help a motorist at a highway crash scene.
James Comazzi, 72, received the sentence after pleading no contest to felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The plea means Comazzi accepted the conviction without admitting guilt.
The collision occurred around midnight on Feb. 10, 2021, on a state highway in Fresno. According to a statement by the California Highway Patrol, the driver of a Hyundai had been severely injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle.
Juliana Ramos, 26, drove up to the scene, exited her vehicle and went to assist the injured driver. Investigators said Comazzi drove his vehicle between Ramos’ stationary car and the Hyundai, striking and killing Ramos.
Comazzi, who worked as a cardiologist at Adventist Health Sonora, left the area without rendering aid to Ramos, police said. The state highway patrol arrested Comazzi in October 2021 following an eight-month investigation.
Ramos was a mother of three and a certified nurse assistant. The fatal collision occurred two days before her 27th birthday.
Her family stated in a GoFundMe profile that Ramos acted without hesitation to help the people involved in the initial accident.
At the sentencing hearing, family members expressed dissatisfaction with the length of the jail term. Ramos’ niece, Ivette Lopez, questioned how a medical professional could leave the scene of a fatal collision.
Lopez said Comazzi managed to escape arrest for eight months and questioned whether he felt remorse for the pain caused to the family, according to a report by television station ABC 30.
Court officials stated the eight-month sentence was based on Comazzi’s age and his lack of a prior criminal record.
Lopez questioned the reasoning during the hearing, asking if her aunt’s young age did not matter to the court, ABC 30 reported.
Comazzi spoke during the proceeding and acknowledged the profound brokenness his actions caused, according to the television report.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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