Crash for Clunker: Fatal Hit-and-Run Rebate?

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP)

PHOENIX (CBS/AP) Authorities say a Phoenix man accused of using the Cash for Clunkers program to ditch his BMW after a fatal hit-and-run crash has been indicted on a manslaughter charge.

Maricopa County prosecutors say 23-year-old Timothy Kissida remained in custody Monday on $250,000 bond.

Phoenix police say Kissida was driving his light blue BWM 325i shortly after midnight Aug. 8 when he hit 52-year-old bicyclist Charles Waldrop, who was riding home from work. Police say Waldrop's bike had lights and reflectors.

Kissida is also charged with leaving the scene of a fatal injury accident and tampering with evidence. A call to Kissida's attorney for comment on the indictment wasn't immediately returned Monday.

Kissida allegedly tried to use the Cash for Clunkers program to trade in his luxury car — telling a dealer that his BMW was damaged when he hit a javelina, a pig-like desert mammal.

Kissida was arrested after a tip to police.

To add insult to injury, his BMW did not qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program, according to the eligible trade-in vehicle list.

The popular $3 billion government rebate program downshifted to idle Monday evening Aug. 24, 2009.

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by inmom63 August 25, 2009 4:16 PM EDT: Are you serious?? Do you mean if you trade in a "clunker" and get $4,500 off on a new car....you have to put that $4,500 on your taxes as income? What a joke! And to think most of the cars sold were foreign anyway....Honda and Toyota execs must be having a party on US dollars!!!; Reply to this comment


by credibility2 August 25, 2009 3:01 PM EDT: I hope this punk never sees the light of day for what he did by killing this innocent bicyclist and then trying to ditch his murder weapon at a car dealer. Good for whomever tipped off the police. Another example of a stupid young moron who thinks everyone else is stupid and they're not.; Reply to this comment