Wouldn't they be impounding his car anyway for evidence of the hit and run ?
Impounding is not the same as confiscation. An impounded vehicle remains the rightful property of the titled owner, who can reclaim his property after paying the impound fees. Confiscated property is claimed by the government to be the proceeds of illegal activity, and its ownership is assumed by the government without due process - even if no criminal charge is brought (let alone proven) for any related crime. "Asset Forfeiture" is the innocent sounding name of this armed robbery scam, and every arm of government that administers "justice" has been corrupted by it.