Dad blames infant son for rear-ending a truck (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

Dad DAVID PONZER rear-ended a truck, and manned up to it by fleeing from scene. When police caught up with dad later (and his damaged Volvo), dad decided to pass the buck: he blamed his son for driving and causing the accident. Only one problem: Ponzer's son is still a baby.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090611-NEWS-90611017

Driver who fled crash scene said infant son was driving, say police

David Ponzer is accused of rear-ending an accident scene and later telling police his son -- an infant -- was driving.


By Elizabeth Dinan
edinan@seacoastonline.com
June 11, 2009 11:34 AM

PORTSMOUTH -- After rear-ending a truck on Market Street, fleeing the scene and leaving his car's grill behind, David Ponzer told a patrolman his infant son was driving at the time, police allege.

Ponzer, 44, of 62 Porpoise Way, is charged with misdemeanor counts of conduct after an accident and giving a false report to law enforcement.

According to an affidavit by Officer Chris Kiberd, on Dec. 31, 2008, a pickup truck driver reported he was rear-ended by someone driving a maroon Volvo and who left the scene of the crash. The alleged victim then showed the officer the centerpiece from a Volvo grill the driver left at the scene, say police.

Two days later, according to Kiberd’s report, the alleged victim said the Volvo was in a Porpoise Way driveway and was missing the part of the grill he still had. The patrolman’s report says he went to the address, knocked on the door and was greeted by Ponzer who said he owned the Volvo. Ponzer told the officer his son drives the car, was not home at the time, “but would be in touch” with police, according to Kiberd’s report.

“Ponzer became increasingly nervous,” the officer wrote. “I noticed distinct beads of sweat forming on his forehead.”

Police allege Ponzer said his son’s name was William and that he was born in 1993. Kiberd wrote to the court that after he left Ponzer’s home, he asked a neighbor if he had seen his son driving the Volvo recently.

“The subject laughed and said his son is still an infant and that he doesn’t have any children old enough to drive,” according to the affidavit.

Kiberd’s report alleges a further investigation proved that to be true.

Ponzer is being represented by attorney Phil Desfosses and a trial date has not yet been scheduled.