Yet another fraudulent accident staging scheme has been uncovered in Louisiana. Three people, including the driver of a company truck, have been arrested as a result of an investigation into a suspected staged accident that occurred in Lafayette Parish and resulted in approximately $10 million dollars in damages.

Following the January 19, 2025, accident, an unnamed trucking company made a complaint to the Louisiana Department of Insurance (DOI) raising suspicions of fraud. The allegations are that the driver of the company vehicle, 45-year-old Justin Ledet, intentionally struck the rear of a Chevy Silverado driven by 38-year-old Steven Thomas. At the time of the incident, there were five passengers inside the Silverado, including three minors, who all filed insurance claims against the trucking company, totaling approximately $10 million dollars in damages.

Following the DOI complaint, the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit launched an investigation into the incident, leading to the arrest of Ledet, Thomas, and a third man, 37-year-old Alfred Onezine. The Troopers determined that the three men conspired to stage the crash which occurred at the intersection of Willow Street and Teurlings Drive in Lafayette.

Ledet, Thomas, and Onezine have been arrested and charged with Automobile Insurance Fraud. Onezine had three additional counts of Cruelty to Juveniles related to the scheme. The investigation remains ongoing, but at this time the scheme appears to be unrelated to the widespread accident staging scheme out of New Orleans which has resulted in several indictments in the Eastern District of Louisiana.