Louisiana Authorities Crack Down on Staged Crash Scheme
Louisiana State Police have arrested three individuals linked to a multimillion-dollar staged crash scheme, following a criminal complaint from the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Those arrested include Justin Ledet, 45, Steven Thomas, 38, and Alfred Onezine, 37. The investigation began in March after a trucking company reported suspicious activity connected to a crash on January 19 in Lafayette Parish.
Authorities allege that Ledet purposefully crashed a company truck into a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Thomas, with Onezine and three juveniles as passengers. All involved filed insurance claims seeking nearly $10 million in damages afterward. Ledet and Thomas were apprehended on May 2 for automobile insurance fraud, while Onezine was arrested on May 29 for multiple charges, including cruelty to juveniles and resisting arrest.
In response to rising incidents of staged accidents, legislation aimed at making such schemes a federal crime has been introduced, with support from various trucking associations. Advocates argue that staged accidents not only threaten public safety but also inflate insurance costs for all. "These are calculated assaults that endanger lives and compromise highway safety," stated OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh.
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