CEO Of $600 Million Startup Nextdoor Pleads Guilty To Hit-And-Run And Gets A 30-Day Sentence
The victim alleged that Tolia swerved his car into her lane, causing her to veer off into a median and break both wrists. Tolia told authorities he didn't realize it was his obligation to remain at the crime scene, and they seemed to buy it.
"He didn't know he had a duty to call in, as opposed to someone who said, 'I knew I screwed up and was trying to get away," San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told Forbes.
Rather than serve jail time, Tolia is expected to complete community service on weekends. Wagstaffe said the service would include "8 to 1o-hour days doing paper pickups" and "washing school graffiti."
Tolia runs Nextdoor, a local social network that has raised more than $100 million. The company says its will remain behind Tolia as he works to complete the community service.
"I am relieved that after further examination of the facts, the DA reduced the charge to a misdemeanor and that Thursday's hearing brought the matter to a close," Tolia said in a written statement to Business Insider.
Tolia's lawyer, Dan Barton, says Tolia was asked to pay a $239 fine. He'll have to pay the victim more money; that amount will be determined on Aug. 1.
"Nirav pleaded no contest to the charge and was directed to pay a $239 fine and serve 30 days on the weekend work program," Barton said in an emailed statement. "A restitution hearing to assess the amount owed to the other party will be heard later this summer (August 1st) - although Nirav will not be required to appear."