Conviction in other half of a staged crash case

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr today released the following statement following the sentencing of a Texarkana woman to three years probation, a fine, and court costs for her role in a staged automobile accident in 2016 involving a U-Haul rental:

“The Arkansas Insurance Department continues to remain vigilant in combating this ongoing problem that is a danger to Arkansas motorists and leads to higher auto insurance premiums.  To all those contemplating committing this type of fraud: Don’t do it; we will find you and prosecute you.”

Wanda Wrightner, 50 of Texarkana, entered a plea of guilty to one count of a fraudulent insurance act (D felony) on October 3 in Miller County Circuit Court.

On March 31, 2016, Lavelda Rogers rented a U-Haul truck at 5002 N. Stateline Road in Texarkana.  Later that evening, she reported that while driving the truck, she struck another vehicle driven by Wrightner.  Wrightner later filed an insurance claim for bodily injuries.  During the course of the claims investigation, Rogers gave a recorded statement during which she admitted that the accident was staged.

Wrightner was sentenced to three years of probation, a $1,500 fine, and court costs of $670.  Rogers had previously pled guilty to a count of insurance fraud in March.

Kerr reminds Arkansans that Act 695 of 2017 extends the statute of limitations for insurance fraud (Class D felony) involving a motor vehicle purposely used to cause and accident to five years from the previous three years.

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