Dr. James Comazzi, a California cardiologist, was sentenced Wednesday to just eight months in county jail for the February 2021 hit-and-run death of Juliana Ramos — a sentence that left the victim's family seething with grief and disbelief.
Background
Ramos, 26, was a mother of three from Reedley studying to become a certified nursing assistant. She was killed near Manning Avenue after pulling over to assist another crash victim, according to ABC 30. Investigators say Comazzi briefly exited his vehicle before fleeing the scene entirely.
The driver remained unidentified for months until investigators linked Comazzi to the fatal collision through an anonymous tip. The case eventually made its way to Fresno County Superior Court, where prosecutors built their case around evidence connecting the cardiologist to the roadway tragedy that claimed Ramos's life.
The Charges
Comazzi pleaded no contest to felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges. Fresno County Superior Court Judge James Kelley handed down the eight-month county jail sentence Wednesday — a punishment the victim's family argues falls woefully short of justice.
During sentencing, Judge Kelley noted the case could have unfolded much differently had Comazzi remained at the scene. "Had he stuck around at that point, had he stayed, this case at all would've been brought as a misdemeanor," Kelley said.
The judge's comments underscored what prosecutors alleged was a critical escalation: by fleeing, Comazzi transformed what might have been a lesser charge into a felony-level offense under California law.
Key Takeaways
- Juliana Ramos, 26, was killed while assisting another crash victim near Manning Avenue in February 2021
- Dr. James Comazzi fled the scene and remained unidentified for months until an anonymous tip linked him to the collision
- The cardiologist pleaded no contest to felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter
- Judge Kelley suggested that staying at the scene would have resulted in only a misdemeanor case
- Ramos was studying to become a certified nursing assistant and leaves behind three children
What's Next
The prosecution has 30 days to decide whether to appeal the sentence, according to court records. The Ramos family indicated through their attorney they are exploring all legal options to challenge what they call an "egregiously lenient" disposition. Comazzi is expected to report to county jail within two weeks to begin serving his sentence.
Family members plan to continue advocating for legislative changes to hit-and-run penalties in California, arguing current law fails to account for the full scope of harm caused by drivers who flee after killing pedestrians or other motorists.