'Clunker' identified as fatal hit-run vehicle

Timothy M. Kissida, 23, (pictured at left) is accused of hitting Charles Waldrop, 52, as Waldrop rode his bicycle home from work minutes after midnight last Saturday. The accident happened at Cave Creek Road and Mountain Gate Pass Road.

"This is a tragic crime that's taken place because it's taken the life of a man who was going home from work," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Tommy Thompson. "And, I think it shows that people go to drastic means to try to avoid apprehension."

Kissida was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count each of leaving the scene of a fatal accident and one count of tampering with evidence.

The only suspect evidence after the accident, police said, was that the vehicle was a "silver BMW" with extensive damage. The damage was detailed -- including information that the front right clearance marker lamp and fog lamp was found at the scene and that the windshield on the passenger side should be caved in.

Hours after the accident, police said Kissida traded in his 1992 BMW to a Valley auto dealership as part of the "Cash for Clunkers" program. He said damage to the vehicle occurred when he hit a javelina. On Sunday, acting on a tip from an anonymous person who had heard media descriptions, police seized the vehicle and, after serving a series of search warrants, arrested Kissida.

"This is a tragic crime that's taken place because it's taken the life of a man who was going home from work. And, I think it shows that people go to drastic means to try to avoid apprehension.