Three men, including a truck driver, have been arrested after investigators say they staged a crash in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, to pull off a massive $10 million insurance scheme.
The details: On January 19, 2025, police say truck driver Justin Ledet purposely rear-ended a Chevrolet Silverado at Willow Street and Teurlings Drive. In the pickup were Steven Thomas behind the wheel, Alfred Onezine, and three kids.
- All five people in the Chevy, including the children, then filed expensive insurance claims.
- Police say the whole wreck was planned between Ledet, Thomas, and Onezine.
- The investigation started after the Louisiana Department of Insurance got a tip from a trucking company that something seemed off, according to an LDI press release.
The charges: Ledet and Thomas were arrested for insurance fraud. Onezine is facing extra counts, including cruelty to juveniles and resisting arrest after not cooperating with state troopers.
What they're saying: State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges said, “We will continue working together to make sure those who commit these crimes are held accountable.”
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple noted that Louisianans already pay the highest auto rates in the country and schemes like this make things worse for everyone.