Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, June 5, 2025:
Louisiana police bust staged-accident fraud scheme
Arrests have been made in Louisiana following an investigation into a suspected staged crash scheme involving a trucking company.
On March 25, troopers with the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit (IFAT) Breaux Bridge Field Office launched the investigation, which led to the arrests of 45-year-old Justin Ledet of Rayne, 38-year-old Steven Thomas of Lafayette, and 37-year-old Alfred Onezine of Breaux Bridge.
The investigation began after troopers received a criminal complaint from the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI), following a report from a trucking company that suspected fraudulent activity related to a crash that occurred on Jan. 19 in Lafayette Parish.
Investigating Troopers determined that Ledet, Thomas and Onezine conspired to stage a crash at the intersection of Willow Street and Teurlings Drive in Lafayette. Ledet, while operating the company’s truck, intentionally struck the rear of a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Thomas, who was accompanied by Onezine and three juvenile passengers.
Following the crash, all five occupants of the Silverado filed insurance claims against the trucking company, seeking a combined potential fraud amount of approximately $10 million in damages.
On May 2, troopers arrested Ledet and Thomas for charges of Automobile Insurance Fraud. Both were processed into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center without incident.
On May 29, Onezine was arrested on a warrant for three counts of Cruelty to Juveniles and four counts of Automobile Insurance Fraud. During the arrest, Onezine resisted Troopers and was additionally charged with Resisting an Officer. He was processed into the St. Martin Parish Jail without further incident. This investigation remains ongoing.
“When individuals try to take advantage of a system that our residents rely on, it can put lives at risk and burden others with the cost,” said Col. Robert Hodges, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “I’m proud of the work our Troopers did alongside the Louisiana Department of Insurance. We will continue working together to make sure those who commit these crimes are held accountable.”
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple added: “At a time when Louisiana drivers are already paying the highest auto rates in the nation, these men put three children in harm’s way to try and make a quick buck off our insurance system and the citizens who pay into it. My thanks go out to the LDI Fraud team for their good work in identifying this staged accident scheme and to State Police for their thorough investigation and successful arrests. The LDI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to aggressively pursuing those who commit these types of insurance crimes.”
This scheme is seemingly unrelated to the widespread staged-accident fraud scheme that has been uncovered in recent years in New Orleans.
[Related: Members of Congress push for task force on staged accident fraud]
California, Louisiana community colleges launch CDL schools
Two community colleges recently announced the launch of a new commercial driver’s license (CDL) program at their institutions.
In California, Barstow Community College announced May 21 a partnership with 160 Driving Academy to bring its CDL training program to the college.
The collaboration will make truck driver training more accessible to local students and community members interested in joining the transportation industry, the college said. While 160 Driving Academy remains the sole provider and operator of the program, Barstow Community College will offer classroom space as a resource for this expansion effort.
Students will begin with 40 hours of in-person classroom instruction held at Barstow Community College and continue with 120 hours of behind-the-wheel training at the 160 Driving Academy facility. This training program combines classroom and hands-on instruction to fully prepare students for the CDL exam. Students learn safety procedures and driving regulations, then practice essential skills like inspections and maneuvering under the guidance of experienced instructors.
Additionally, back in March, Bossier Parish Community College launched a new CDL training program at the school’s Natchitoches campus. The program provides students with the hands-on training and skills necessary for a successful career in commercial driving, combining classroom instruction with practical experience in a fully equipped tractor-trailer.
The CDL program at BPCC is designed to meet all Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Entry-Level Driver Training requirements, the school said. Students will gain essential knowledge and skills, including pre-trip and post-trip inspections, maneuvering, trip planning, and defensive driving. Graduates will be prepared to test for a CDL Class A or CDL Class B license, opening doors to high-demand opportunities in the transportation and logistics industries.
