The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A late-night crash in Milwaukee led to the arrest of a woman who allegedly left the scene of the accident and filed a false insurance claim to cover her losses.
On the evening of December 1, multiple 911 callers reported that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle that then left the scene. The injured man, later identified as a Lyft driver, was found unconscious but breathing. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he had to have multiple brain surgeries and remained in a coma.
When they arrived at the scene, police officers noted extensive damage to the driver’s car, which appeared to be consistent with being sideswiped by another vehicle. Pieces of vehicle debris were found around the crash site, and upon reviewing surveillance video from nearby cameras, it was observed that a light-colored SUV was traveling with only its lights on at the moment of impact. Paint transfer marks on the alleged victim’s vehicle appeared to match the color of the SUV in the video.
Days later, the authorities learned about an insurance claim filed for a damaged Jeep SUV. The claim stated that the damage occurred during a mishap in a workplace parking lot, but after reviewing the footage, investigators believed it was inconsistent with the claim.
Using vehicle identification records and additional surveillance, officers traced the SUV to a residential parking structure. Video from that location was reviewed, and it reportedly showed the SUV arriving a few minutes after the crash, and a woman who appeared unsteady as she got out of the driver’s seat and entered the building.
The investigation continued, and the authorities were able to locate the Jeep, which was parked in a barn at a rural property. Damage on the vehicle matched the collision, including white paint, which was the color of the alleged victim’s car. Family members identified the woman seen on video and acknowledged that the earlier account was not accurate.
The woman was arrested and later charged with hit-and-run involving great bodily harm, along with an insurance fraud-related offense. She was held on a $20,000 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.